Page 21 - GP Fall 2019

Relay For Life Events

by Teresa Skalyo, DDS, FAGD

Established in 1972, the AGD Foundation With the funds given to us by the AGD So many people take their teeth for granted,
aims to improve the oral health of the Foundation, the NYSAGD was able to or when undergoing cancer treatments feel
public. The Foundation’s main focus is oral have a team at three different Relay events that they don’t have time to go to the dentist.
cancer awareness, risk factor prevention in the upstate region. Letters were sent out Hopefully the time we spent at the Relays
and diagnosis. It works to raise funds to to local area AGD dentists to invite them speaking to individuals will help them to
support events and projects to reach these to participate as part of the NYSAGD better understand how essential their oral
goals. team. Relays were attended at the State health is in connection to their overall well-
Fairgrounds near Syracuse, Seneca Lake being, and their ability to have the strength
The NYSAGD was extremely honored in Geneva, and Mynders Academy in Sen- to fight cancers of all types.
to be the recipient of a grant from the eca Falls. Individuals in attendance were
AGD Foundation to spread oral cancer informed of the AGD Foundation’s role in General dentists are the first line of defense
awareness at Relay for Life events in the supporting these events. against oral cancer. We can help detect
Upstate region. the disease in its early stages during routine
At each event we offered free oral cancer dental visits, and by doing so, increase the
Relay for Life events are held throughout screenings, had pamphlets available on oral oral cancer survival rate for our patients.
the United States by the American Cancer cancer prevention and recognition, as well Help us strengthen our profession’s role
Society. They are local fundraising efforts as information on oral health during cancer and AGD’s contribution in the fight
where teams of individuals get together to treatments. While nobody took us up on against oral cancer. Make an impact by
share experiences, play games, and raise the oral cancer screening offer, everyone getting involved and donating to the AGD
donations to support further efforts in the wanted the mini-flashlights we were Foundation today.
fight against cancer. Team members take handing out. Over 400 flashlights were
turns walking around a track or designated given out during the three events. Each Thanks go out to the AGD Foundation,
path. Each event is 6 to 24 hours in length mini-flashlight has the website to “find an without their generous financial support
and each team is asked to have a member AGD dentist”. Individuals were told that these events would not have been possible.
on the track at all times to signify that can- they could use that information to find I would also like to thank Dr. Ira Levine for
cer never sleeps. Relay for Life events at- an AGD dentist anywhere in the US and urging me to move forward with this idea,
tract individuals that live near and far. The Canada. Many people like this idea, feeling Dr. Binod Verma for his encouragement,
past four years I have had a tent at the an- it was helpful to have that information and Paula Bostick, our Executive Director,
nual Relay for Life at Seneca Lake in Ge- when they went on vacation. Individuals for keeping on top of all of the paperwork
neva where I help spread awareness of oral that spend the summer “up North” and the and minutia needed to make this happen.
cancer prevention and detection. The event winter “down south” really liked that idea, Finally, it wouldn’t have been possible
is always well attended and the atmosphere since they split their year between different without the help of my staff… Rob, Ashley,
is full of fun and camaraderie. At the end parts of the country. The colors we chose and Adrianna… thanks to you all for
of the evening luminary bags decorated in for the flashlights were symbolic, purple setting up and breaking down the tent for
honor of those who have had to fight can- for all cancers, pink for breast cancer, and all these events.
cer are lit around the track. Team members burgundy with white for oral cancer.
take one lap in silence in memory of those
who are still fighting or who have passed.

www.nysagd.org l Fall 2019 l GP 21