In the fight against cancer, Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., has always had hope.
Now, the director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, would like to share that hope on the wrist of every Nebraskan.
As a result, the Friends of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Cener are selling Nebraska-red “Hope” bracelets to raise awareness about cancer.
“We called it the ‘Hope’ bracelet because of everything that word embodies; hope for a cure, hope for breakthroughs, hope for new treatments, and hope for better lives,” said Jane Rips, a Friends of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center board member.
All proceeds from the bracelets, which cost $2 each, support cancer research at UNMC. The bracelets are available online at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center Web site (www.unmc.edu/cancercenter/), as well as on the UNMC campus at the Cornerstone Gift Shop, UNMC Bookstore, Center for Healthy Living and The Lied Transplant Center (the cancer treatment center on third floor and transplant clinic on second floor).
Imprinted on the rubber bracelets are the words: “Hope” and “UNMC Eppley Cancer Center.” Each comes attached to a cardboard cutout that says: The Hope Bracelet: We’re Closer Than You Think.” A statement on the back, defines “what is hope?” and reads:
Hope is looking at a problem and seeing a solution.
Hope is bravery in the face of adversity.
Hope is fighting back when the odds are against you.
Hope is cancer’s worst enemy.
Dr. Cowan said it was the popularity of cyclist Lance Armstrong’s yellow “Livestrong” wristband that led to the red “Hope” bracelets.
“It encouraged us to think about how we could reach out to the community to raise awareness about cancer and the research that is being done right here at the cancer center,” Dr. Cowan said. “We wanted a way for Nebraskans to be able to contribute to the fight against cancer.”
All of the proceeds from the Hope bracelets go to fund cancer research at UNMC, Dr. Cowan said. “Although there have been remarkable improvements in early detection and cancer survival rates due to improved therapies, there is still much to be done,” he said. “Research is a key component of improving the lives of cancer patients.”
The Friends of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center support the cancer center through fund-raising activities and cancer awareness promotions, including spotlighting the work being done at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. “The Hope bracelet is our way of getting the word out to everyone in the state about the cutting-edge research and treatment that is available right here in our own backyard,” Rips said.
Cancer is now the number one cause of death for people under age 85, said Bernie Duhaime, president of the Friends of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. “This demonstrates that even though great improvements have been made we still need to be paying attention to the problem and continuing to increase funding for cancer research in Nebraska.
“The Hope bracelet is one small, but important way for us to include the entire community in the fight against cancer,” Duhaime said.
For more information about the Hope bracelets, contact Molly Malone at 559-4179 or visit the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center Web site at www.unmc.edu/cancercenter/ and order bracelets online.