Local Events such as Relay For Life Make Lifesaving Difference
Peoria, Ill. — As part of its continuing fight against youth obesity, the American Cancer Society has awarded 30 youth obesity prevention community grants to non-profit organizations across the state, including a $13,400 grant to Quality Quest for Health of Illinois.
The American Cancer Society grant will be used to continue the Healthy Living Program, a wellness program that began as a pilot in 2012. Under the direction of Dr. Amy Christison, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, a pediatric hospitalist with Methodist Medical Group, and director of the Healthy Kids U weight management program at the Children’s Hospital of Illinois, the program features nutrition education once a week coupled with afterschool physical activities for high school students (i.e., Hip Hop dance cardiovascular classes) twice a week, and a gardening component with nutrition education for middle and high school students. A total of 130 students will be reached through the program over the course of three 6-8 week sessions beginning January 2013 and ending November 2013. The program is housed at Manual Academy.
“Obesity, physical inactivity and poor nutrition are the biggest risk factors for cancer following tobacco use,” said Rodger Crawford, American Cancer Society board member. “Because of local events like Relay For Life and the generous support of our donors, the American Cancer Society can make a real difference here in our community.”
According to the Society, obesity has now joined tobacco use as one of the most important risk factors for cancer death, with definite links to various types of cancer, including colorectal, breast, esophageal, kidney, pancreatic, stomach and liver cancer. Studies show that 50 percent of overweight children, and 70 percent of overweight adolescents, will be overweight as adults. Illinois ranks tenth highest in the United States for children aged 10 to 17 who are overweight and obese.
“We are pleased to partner with the American Cancer Society to address childhood obesity. This grant brings together several organizations – Bradley University, City Dance, Gifts in the Moment, Methodist Medical Center, Manual Academy and Quality Quest – to make a difference in community health,” said Bonnie Paris, program development manager at Quest. “By focusing on childhood obesity, we hope to prevent cancer and other major diseases for future generations.”
The American Cancer Society is providing more than $360,000 in anti-obesity community grants to 30 Illinois organizations, reaching youth and families through early childhood, after-school and other youth-serving programs throughout the state in 2013.