American Samoa Community Cancer Coalition Ua o gatasi le futia me le umele.

Governor Togiola Tulafono has proclaimed the month of June 2008 as National Cancer Survivors Month in American Samoa, and encourages all residents of the territory to wear a yellow ribbon as a symbol of “our common commitment to honor those who have survived, as well as those who have lost their battle to cancer.”The Governor said, “By working together to raise awareness of the devastating effects of cancer, we can make a positive difference for families, patients, and survivors in the future.”Cancer is the second leading cause of death by disease in American Samoa, and the number of people diagnosed with cancer continues to increase both locally and in the United States.Togiola said the territory must improve and increase access to quality cancer care, screenings, and prevention. “Cancer care must be a top priority in our community,” he added.The Governor explained that there is an active, productive representation of cancer survivors through the American Samoa Cancer Survivors Support Group, who demonstrate that a cancer diagnosis is no longer an automatic death sentence.“National Survivors Day Month recognizes the courage and compassion of those ‘survivors’ throughout American Samoa who have battled or are currently battling cancer,” Togiola said. The American Samoa Community Cancer Coalition is a community organization that is dedicated to helping people of American Samoa fight cancer by promoting prevention, early detection, treatment, and screening through research, education, advocacy, and services.