Dear Neighbors,

Most of us know or have known someone who has battled cancer. We've all wished we could help somehow to relieve the pain, give hope, even find a cure. While most of us are not doctors or research scientists, there are ways we can help fight cancer and bring hope to those in the thick of the battle.

I hope you'll take some time to consider these and other ways to help find the cure. If you'd like more information about these or any other American Cancer Society effort, please go to www.cancer.org.

Help All Year Long – Buy Breast Cancer Research Stamps

Instead of the normal 37 cents for a stamp, this one costs 40 cents. The additional 3 cents goes to breast cancer research. A regular book of stamps costs $7.40. This one is only $8.00. It takes a few minutes in line at the post office and means so much.

Featuring the phrases, "Fund the Fight" and "Find a Cure" and an illustration of a mythical "goddess of the hunt," the stamp has raised over $33 million for breast cancer research to date.

We need to keep up the momentum! I encourage you to support this effective and easy way to help fight breast cancer.

Help Organize A Great Local Event

The American Cancer Society's "Relay For Life" is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and American Cancer Society programs. During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times.

"Relay For Life" represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day, cancer will be eliminated.

The Anchorage chapter of the American Cancer Society is planning now for their "Relay For Life" to be held this coming May or early June. If you would like to help plan and organize any of the following activities, please contact Eva Loken at 689-6476 or the Anchorage office of the American Cancer Society at 277-8696 to find out how.

• Team recruitment
• Sponsors
• Survivors
• Education
• Logistics
• Accounting
• Relay store
• Luminaries
• Entertainment
• Food

The next meeting of the organizational committee is November 1, 2003 at Prudential Vista Eagle River office at 11 a.m.

Participate in Local Efforts Throughout the Year

Daffodil Days

The American Cancer Society's brightest event of the year is Daffodil Days, when bright daffodils are delivered to businesses, churches, schools, and homes in March. They certainly brighten the offices of the capitol each year! Ordering daffodils is a great way for individuals and corporations to show appreciation to employees, customers, clients, and friends. You can also anonymously order bouquets in lovely glass vases to be delivered by American Cancer Society volunteers to patients at local hospitals or treatment centers on your behalf. These bouquets cannot be delivered to specific patients, nor is your name attached to the bundle. They are truly anonymous gifts of hope. For more information, please contact the Anchorage ACS office at 277-8696.

Wine and Food Festival

This great event offers you the opportunity to sample the best bites of Alaska at Anchorage's Wine and Food Festival. Guests feast on gourmet food from Alaska's premier restaurants and sample the region's finest wines. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society's fight against cancer. For more information, including this year's date and location, please call at 277-8696.

Polar Bear Jump!

Each January, American Cancer Society volunteers ask their friends, family, and colleagues to sponsor them to jump (in costume) into the icy waters of the north Pacific in Seward, Alaska. All funds raised go to the American Cancer Society to help in the fight against cancer. For more information, call at 277-8696.

# # #

All addresses are "blind" for your privacy. A strict "no spam" policy is observed. If you don’t wish to receive "Legislative Update", just let me know. If you know a friend or neighbor in District 18 who has not received "Legislative Update" but would like to be included, I will be glad to include them if they contact me. Your replies, comments, questions, and/or suggestions are welcome. Constituent comments on legislation and policy issues may be tabulated, shared with other legislators, or quoted in speeches. Names, however, will be kept private.