I was going to post that I was curious about the selection of lung cancer for this. In my mind this was largely a self inflected injury (though obviously nobody deserves to suffer from such a horrible disease).
However, I read in Wikipedia that
I'm sharing that in case anybody else had concerns about that.
This being said, it would be interesting to know how the selection is made - I'm not really interested in who makes the decision, but I am interested in what criteria are used.
Hi Joss, first I will try to explain why the CKCA chooses to donate to cancer research in general then who/how the decision is made as to which type cancer research receives our donation. I already explained in a previous post in this thread our process/criteria for choosing the specific research foundation to which we donate.
Unfortunately, cancer touches about everyone in one way or another. I doubt theres many folks who dont have a family member, friend, someone they know/work with or have had some form of cancer themselves. So basically, the CKCA feels that cancer research is the best way for our modest annual donation to have the most positive impact on the most people across the globe. I cant help but wonder (as I expect others do) if what we give to some charities really makes much of a difference? Well you dont have to wonder or look too far to find proof that today as a direct result of cancer research thousands upon thousands of cancer survivors across the world are living normal and healthy lives that would have died if diagnosed with cancer just 5-10 years ago. We are beginning to win the war on cancer as a result of the funding of cancer research.
In addition as you know Joss being one who both contributed to get the project initially off the ground and latter purchased tickets, the springboard for the CKCAs support of cancer research was founded right here on the Blade Forums in February 2007. Participants of this customs forum decided to design and have makers here create a fine Bowie knife which was raffled off later that year to benefit Breast Cancer research. The CKCA was founded in June of 2008 and we decided to continue the tradition of supporting cancer research. Thus last years first CKCA annual collaborative cancer research knife which benefited prostate cancer research.
Our dream is that some day the CKCA will grow into among other things a major benefactor for cancer research.
As far as the CKCA choosing which type cancer research to support each year, last year the board decided upon prostate cancer after (I believe) Russ Andrews and Jerry Fisks suggestion. Our CKCA board makes most if not all of our major decisions with member feedback and support. This year, I will admit, that I chose (with support) lung cancer research as my father was diagnosed with lung cancer about 7 years ago and given little time to live. Well as a result of his outstanding and determined doctors, CANCER RESEARCH and basically being a tough old goat he has been 100% cancer free going on 5 years now. In fact, at 80 years old he will again be planting about a ¼ acre vegetable garden this spring.
As previously mentioned, we are already in the planning stages of our 2011 cancer research project. We will most likely utilize our CKCA forum for getting suggestions as to which cancer research to support next. Anyone here please feel free to offer suggustions.
)
