The Good News: Dave Strickland of American Cancer Society

Dave Strickland is doing 30 years. The board chairman of the Manatee County American Cancer Society has just volunteered to participate in Cancer Prevention Study-3; a 30-year, 300,000-person study, designed to determine what causes cancer, as well as discover new treatment methods. But, for him, it’s not a sentence — it’s a chance to make a difference.

Cancer Prevention Study-3 is the third in a series of nationwide studies, which seek volunteers between the ages of 30 and 65. The study spans 30 years and consists of an initial blood sample and survey, followed by additional questionnaires every two to three years. The research conducted in the studies provides highly valuable information that can be used to treat and prevent different forms of cancer. The first study provided the research that linked cigarette smoking to cancer; the second study found a correlation between obesity and cancer.

As board chairman, Strickland is a champion for the study, which means he’s responsible for actively seeking participants, but he also personally decided to volunteer. The Bradenton native says he sees the study as one of the most meaningful ways in which he can give back to his community.

“I live here; I grew up here,” he says. “It’s a chance to make a difference in a very important way.”

Strickland says that, like many people, he’s also driven by personal reasons to donate his time to the ACS.
“Like just about everybody, I’ve been affected by cancer,” says Strickland. “I’ve lost two aunts in the prime of their lives. Three weeks ago, my brother was diagnosed with a third-stage, rare form of incurable cancer. I see the effects it has on folks, and this is my chance to make a difference.”

Strickland says he hopes that through this study, researchers might discover a cure for this form of cancer or new ways to treat it. For him, the study has personal significance, but he also takes pride in knowing that the study will impact not only the next generation, but also generations to come. Eventually, he hopes nobody will be affected by cancer.

“I’m a champion for this study, mainly for my brother,” says Strickland. “I’m my brother’s champion, because I want to see this impact of what he’s going through, so people like my kids and myself never have to hear someone tell them over the phone, ‘I have cancer.’”

Where to Enroll
Cancer Prevention Study-3 enrollment dates are:
• 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, at Doctors Hospital, 5731 Bee Ridge Road
• 6 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, at Blake Medical Center, 2020 59th St. W. Bradenton
• 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at Manatee Memorial Hospital, 206 Second St. E., Bradenton.

More information here.

By the Numbers
300,000 — Number of desired study participants

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