About this time every year, the Wilson community is asked to open its collective wallet for a variety of fund-raisers for Relay for Life.

And every year -- for 14 years -- the Wilson community has responded.

The first time Wilson County hosted a Relay event was 1995, and records show that since 1997, the Wilson County Relay for Life has raised $1,785,000. Fund-raising numbers for 1995 and 1996 were not available.

The most raised in a single year was $239,961 in 2005.

"Because of the money Relayers are raising, patients right here in Wilson have access to the American Cancer Society 24 hours a day, every day," said Patricia Earnhardt Tyndall, community manager in Wilson County for the American Cancer Society.

The American Cancer Society invests 81 cents of every dollar raised directly on cancer research, patient services, education, prevention, detection and treatment programs.

In the American Cancer Society South Atlantic Division, which includes North Carolina, the breakdown on how donations are spent is as follows: Research, 31 percent; fund-raising, 20 percent; prevention, 17 percent; patient services, 13 percent; detection and treatment, 12 percent; and management, 7 percent.

The South Atlantic Division, which includes eight states total, received almost $113 million in public support for its fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2006.

The largest portion of donations in this area goes toward research.

"Because of that," Tyndall said, "patients receive treatment brought about by ACS research such as tamoxifin and herceptin." Both of these drugs are used in the treatment of breast cancer.

Just as important as research is detection and prevention. The American Cancer Society provides guidelines and education materials to the public and physicians and is active in advocacy efforts to make screenings accessible to everyone, Tyndall said.

Two of the service programs for cancer patients are available right here in Wilson, funded by Relay dollars.

Patients in Wilson have access to "Reach to Recovery," a one-on-one visitation program between newly diagnosed women with breast cancer and women who have already gone through treatment.

The other program, "Look Good, Feel Better," helps women deal with the changes brought on by chemotherapy and radiation. Skin care and make-up classes are held for the ladies and a cosmetics bag full of goodies for post-treatment are given by the Cancer Society.

Also, because of the money raised in Wilson County, local survivors of childhood cancer are eligible to receive college scholarships. Tyndall said there is one current recipient in Wilson County.

Fund-raising efforts also afford Cancer Society representatives the chance to work with state legislators and Congress every day to make sure the rights of patients are heard.

"A lot of people wonder what that is all about," Tyndall said.

Here's an example.

If insurance companies did not have to cover mammograms, how many women do you think would go without getting screened?

"Relay gives us all a chance to fight back," Tyndall said.

heather@wilsontimes.com | 265-7811