On Saturday, June 17, a group of dedicated cancer care providers and nurses from the Grande Ronde Hospital Oncology Clinic are inviting you to join us to honor and celebrate cancer survivors in our community.

We will be gathering at the La Grande High School track at 8 a.m. to register for a 5K Fun Run and Walk that will start at 9 a.m. There is no registration fee required, and you can preregister at grh.org. There will be music, snacks, education and an opportunity to honor cancer patients we’ve lost as well as celebrate with those who have beaten the odds.

What is a cancer survivor?

Someone is considered a cancer survivor from first diagnosis until end of life. Survivors includes people living with cancer, being treated for cancer, and those who have had cancer and are now in remission or cancer-free. We celebrate these cancer survivors and hope to raise awareness of those survivors and the issues they face throughout their lifetimes while advocating for cancer care, treatment and research.

Due to significant advances in cancer treatment through clinical trials, more and more people who have been diagnosed with cancer are surviving and living longer than before.

Right now, there are approximately 18 million cancer survivors in the United States — or more than five percent of the population. That number is expected to increase to 22.5 million by 2032. In 2022, 69% of cancer survivors lived for five or more years after diagnosis, 47% lived 10 or more years, and 18% lived 20 or more years.

What types of cancers are there in Union County?

These statistics below are for cancer patients seen at Grande Ronde Hospital for diagnosis and treatment. As you can see, there is an increase in many types of cancer in our community. A nearly 30% increase in breast cancer diagnoses is eye opening and heart breaking.

Beyond stating the obvious importance of regular mammograms, there are other types of cancer that can be caught early and even prevented. Regular skin self-checks and monitoring any moles should be part of any regular health routine, and there is a reason colon cancer is known as “the cancer you can prevent.”

No one wants to get a colonoscopy, but the simple procedure is more than worth it. Just ask a cancer survivor.