South Carolina Cancer Alliance honors Edge as State Legislator of The Year

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Cancer Alliance (SCCA) Friday honored Rep. Tracy Edge as South Carolina Legislator of the Year at its annual meeting. Edge was recognized for his work in cancer control for “exceptional leadership in advocating and promoting cancer prevention, screening and treatment programs.”

“Rep. Edge’s contributions to cancer control include advocating and securing state funds to support cancer screening programs for low-income, uninsured persons for the early detection of breast, cervical and colorectal cancer, youth tobacco use prevention and cessation programs and treatment services for low-income women diagnosed with breast and cervical cancers,” said Nancy Cheney, SCCA Board Member and American Cancer Society Government Relations Director for South Carolina.

Additional special recognitions for outstanding contributions to SCCA were presented to Dr. John Ureda for his leadership as chair of the SCCA Coordinating Council and major contributions in the development of the S.C. Comprehensive Cancer Plan, and Mary Lynn Donovan for her advocacy leadership in the areas of securing state funds for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening and youth tobacco prevention and cessation programs. 

Also featured in the general session were three well-known speakers. Terence M. Chapman, M.D., of Columbia Urological Associates discussed “Prostate Cancer Controversies: To treat or not to treat? To screen or not to screen?”  Cherie Nettles, ovarian cancer survivor and humorist, presented her inspirational thoughts, “Healing with Laughter.” Former state legislator, David Wright who is a colorectal cancer survivor, shared his experiences in his session, “Nagging Saved My Life.”  Other educational topics presented at breakout sessions included workshops on cancer pain management, social marketing and working with partners for smoke-free communities.

The meeting included an introduction of the SCCA’s new executive director, Donald Simmons. Simmons has more than 20 years of experience in senior management, including finance, fundraising, team building and public relations. He has a master’s degree in education and has worked for a number of non-profit organizations, including United Way and, most recently, the Babcock Center in Columbia. His initial areas of focus will be to help establish priorities for the coming year, to ensure that financial and personnel resources are effectively aligned with those priorities and to promote the mission and vision of the SCCA throughout the state.

For additional details regarding the SCCA, contact Alan Waln at 1-866-745-5680. Visit http://www.sccanceralliance.org for further information on SCCA.

The South Carolina Cancer Alliance (SCCA) is an independent, statewide nonprofit organization whose mission is to reduce the impact of Cancer on ALL people in South Carolina.