On April 28, people in the Greater Chattanooga Area will recognize Oral Cancer Awareness Month by bringing attention to a disease that has long needed a voice. The third Chattanooga Oral Cancer Awareness Walk is being organized by local oral cancer survivor, Jeanna Richelson. The annual event, which she spearheads, will feature free oral cancer screenings, prizes, a silent auction, refreshments, and a special appearance by Sweet Georgia Sound. Once again, the event will be emceed by Mrs. Tennessee International 2008 and 2010, Cydney Miller. All proceeds benefit the Oral Cancer Foundation to raise awareness of the need for early detection and prevention.
The two-mile walk will take place at FirstTennessee Pavilion in Chattanooga at 10 a.m., with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. To pre-register or sponsor a walker, visit the Events page of oralcancer.org or contact Jeanna Richelson at 423-894-9215.
Approximately 37,000 people in the U.S. will be newly diagnosed with oral cancer in 2012, which includes mouth, tongue and throat cancer. When found early, there is an 80 to 90 percent survival rate. However, due to a lack of public awareness, the majority of cases are found as late-stage cancers that can be killers.
At the age of 36, Richelson, a non-smoker, was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, a form of oral cancer. She embarked on an eight-and-a-half-year fight, during which the cancer returned several times. Jeanna endured chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and the painful placement of a tracheotomy and a feeding tube.
Richelson is now dedicated to educating others on the importance of screenings, warning signs and the complex challenges of fighting oral cancer as a patient.