Every dollar goes further on September 8, (from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m) when the American Cancer Society, North Texas Region takes part in "Get Up and Give! North Texas Giving Day 2010."

On this day, every donation above $25 will be matched if you donate to the Society through donorbridgetx.org, an online resource to connect donors with nonprofit organizations.

On September 8, visit donorbridgetx.org, search for American Cancer Society, North Texas Region and click "Donate Now." Every dollar given will receive a portion of more than $700,000 in matching funds - making each dollar go further.

In 2010, an estimated 1.5 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer, 101,120 of them will be from Texas. Our programs and services help those touched by cancer right here in North Texas. Last fiscal year, the Society helped more than 8,500 cancer patients and their families in the communities we serve. Our patient navigators at Parkland Health & Hospital System and JPS Health Network have been connecting patients to the services they need to help them with their cancer journey for decades.

You have the power to help the American Cancer Society continue to make a difference in the lives touched by cancer in North Texas. If you are concerned about the busiest times on the site, visit and donate during the off-hours of 10-11 a.m. and 2-4 p.m. For more information about Get Up and Give! North Texas Giving Day, visit donorbridgetx.org

About DonorBridge

DonorBridge is a searchable online database with detailed information about nonprofits within the Dallas and Fort Worth region, as well as general information about every nonprofit in the United States. DonorBridge contains clear, comparative and reliable data in a user-friendly format provided at no charge to the user. Non-profits can set up their online profile to include detailed information about their mission, management, governance and programs offered to the DFW community. For donors, and others interested in supporting nonprofits, DonorBridge provides donors with the ability to make informed decisions about their charitable giving. DonorBridge is run by Communities Foundation of Texas, with the support of The Dallas Foundation and the Center for Nonprofit Management.

Donorbridgetx.org, was launched May 19, 2009, with a one-day fundraising drive that used $300,000 in matching funds to raise more than $4.2 million for local nonprofits.

OTB ACS Forum Flyer.pdf

American Cancer Society supporters are invited to attend the American Cancer Society Cowtown Ball Benz, Bourbon & Bubbly reception, hosted by Park Place Mototcars of Fort Worth on Thursday, September 16 from 6 - 8 p.m. at 5601 Bryant Irvin Road, Fort Worth 76132.

Every year, Park Place Motorcars of Fort Worth, a longtime Cowtown Ball supporter, donates a new Mercedes-Benz to be raffled off at Cowtown Ball. This year, a gorgeous C300 Sport or C300 Luxury Sedan will go to one lucky winner. Both cars will be featured at the reception and raffle tickets will be available for purchase. The event will include cocktails, hors devours, live music and valet parking.

Raffle details:

$100 per ticket

Buy 5 get 1 free

Only 750 tickets will be sold

Winner will be announced the night of Cowtown Ball, November 13, 2010

(you do not need to be present to win)

For more information about the raffle, contact Judy Amos at 817.570.0606

American Cancer Society Cowtown Ball The Wild Wild West Show will take place November 13, 2010 at Will Rogers Coliseum - Texas Room. The Fort Worth based fundraiser began in 1992, when it raised $150,000 for the fight against cancer. Since then, Cowtown Ball has raised more than $5 million in support of local and national research, education, advocacy and services that benefit cancer patients and their families here in Tarrant County and across the country. For more information about the Benz, Bourbon & Bubbly reception or Cowtown Ball, please call Scott Abbott at 817.944.3573.

What's better than enjoying a concert on Lake Lewisville with your friends? Doing it all for a wonderful cause. The American Cancer Society fifth annual Lakefest Lewisville is this Saturday. Details are below.

Saturday, August 14

5 p.m. - 12 a.m.

Pier 121 Marina

1481 East Hill Park Rd, Lewisville 75056

(Lewisville Lake @ East Hill Park)

Advance tickets are $15. Tickets are $20 at the door.

Entertianment includes headliner Robert Earl Keen, the Kyle Bennett Band, the Stephen Pointer Band and various local acts. 

For more information on Lakefest Lewisville volunteer or sponsorship opportunities, contact Meredith Schuchard at 214-819-1225, Shannon Funk at 214-263-7594 or visit lakefesttx.com.

Visit our Newsroom for event press release.

By Carole Bullock

As they head off to college this fall, the financial burdens will be little lighter for the 28 new recipients of this year's North Texas's college scholarships, awarded from the American Cancer Society.

The Society's Childhood Cancer Survivor College Scholarship Program awards up to $1,000 per academic year to selected students, who were diagnosed with cancer before the age of 21 and at the time of application, are 25 or younger. The program offers undergraduate educational or vocational trade school funds for students who have survived any type of cancer during their childhood. Each student is evaluated based upon an essay, financial need, GPA, and must be seeking an undergraduate degree in an institute of higher learning, including universities, community colleges, vocational, or technical schools.

For the 2010 - 2011 academic year, the High Plains Division (Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas) awarded 171 scholarships, including the 28 awardees from North Texas, totaling $171,000. The student cancer survivors come from all sections of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex - from Bonham to Plano. The scholarships are partially funded by the proceeds raised through Relay For Life, the Society's signature fundraising event.

"The Society is confident that these scholarships will assist students in achieving their highest academic potential and career dreams," says Maria Clark, North Texas regional vice president. "Nothing can compensate for the hardships endured by these young men and women, but the American Cancer Society knows the scholarships will offer these courageous young people an educational foundation to pursue their career aspirations.  The donations make a positive impact in the lives of those who have been directly affected by cancer. We hope our community will continue to support this program."

For more information on this program, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

By Ashley Gordan

North Texas Relay For Life 2010 top fundraisers sung "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and cheered for the home team as they celebrated their successful fundraising year at the Grand Prairie Airhogs baseball game on Saturday, July 17.

Top Relayers, family members and American Cancer Society staff gathered at Grand Prairie Airhogs QuickTrip Park to watch the Airhogs take on the Pensacola Pelicans. Top fundraisers were recognized by the Society for their efforts during the 2009-2010 Relay season.

"We are extremely excited to have Relay fundraisers who are dedicated not only to Relay, but to the mission of the Society," said Brenda Ratcliff, Society regional director of community development. "Dollars raised through Relay supports cancer research, and Society programs and services, which are offered at no cost to cancer patients and their families."

The Relay For Life Fundraising Club program is a national program offered to Relay For Life teams who meet the criteria established by the Relay For Life Business Unit. This year, North Texas Fundraising Club teams raised more than $4.6 million, which helped the region raise more than $5 million to aid the fight against cancer.

Relay For Life is the signature event of the American Cancer Society. It is a fun-filled, overnight event that mobilizes communities throughout the country to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones and empower others to fight back against a disease that takes too much.

For more information about Relay For Life and the Fundraising Club program visit RelayForLife.org. For more information on cancer, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

Pictured: North Texas region Relayers enjoying the game.

Speakers' Bureau Training

Saturday, July 17, 2010    10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Use Your Voice!

Volunteering as a Speakers' Bureau member will allow you to enhance your speaking skills, meet with those in your local community, and serve as a representative of your American Cancer Society.

Get Trained!

*Gain a clear understanding of your role as a Society speaker

*Develop the ability to deliver the Society's mission with confidence

*Learn how to handle yourself in front of an audience

Limited seating, please R.S.V.P. to:

Carlisa Dorsey, 214.819.1204, carlisa.dorsey@cancer.org 

NT_VO_10_SpeakersBureau_Flier.pdf

Following medical checkups and a first-class send off, 44 Dallas/Fort Worth-area children, ages seven to 16, boarded a bus at Dallas' Medical City Children's Hospital on Sunday, July 11, headed for a fun-filled week at the American Cancer Society Camp Discovery.

The American Cancer Society provides the camp at no cost for the children who attend through dollars raised at American Cancer Society Relay For Life events and generous donations.

"Camp Discovery's mission is to give children who have cancer a fun, relaxed, natural environment where they can enjoy all of the experiences of camp and share those experiences with other children affected by cancer," said Donna Rankin, Society regional director of health initiatives. "Camp staff members are volunteers dedicated to providing a supportive, fun camping environment for participants."

Camp goers, all cancer patients from Medical City Children's Hospital, will join the more than 100 other children from Texas cancer centers at the 27th annual Camp Discovery at the Texas Lions Camp in Kerrville, Texas. Camp Discovery allows each child to learn different aspects of living with cancer, to spend time with other children who have had similar experiences, and to enjoy a week without the pressures of being in a hospital environment. Special arrangements are made for children to receive necessary medications and treatments while at the camp.

This year, members from the Society's new initiative Corporate Hero Circle will be helping with the send-off festivities. Corporate Hero Circle offers Dallas professionals the opportunity to network with business and community leaders, while fundraising and educating others about the Society's life-saving mission. The volunteers will serve breakfast, entertain the children with games and activities, and assist with loading the bus.

"Volunteering at Society events and programs, like Camp Discovery, helps members see the difference the Society is making in the lives of those fighting cancer," said Amy Schisler, Society regional director of corporate relations.

The Society thanks the Agnes Cluthe Oliver Foundation for providing the funds for the event.

Tapping into Dallas' pool of successful business professionals paid off big for the American Cancer Society's new Corporate Hero Circle initiative. The elite group of 23 area business leaders raised more than $51,000 for the Society's research, education, advocacy, and patient services programs in a mere two months.

"We are very pleased with the program's phenomenal start," said Maria Clark, Society regional vice president. "Corporate Hero Circle offers top professionals the opportunity to build relationships and networks that may last a lifetime, while involving their company, family, and friends. We are excited about the future of the program."

Launched this spring and led by Society board member Scott Fischer of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Corporate Hero Circle offers Dallas professionals the opportunity to network with business and community leaders, while fundraising and educating others about the Society's life-saving mission. The top ten fundraisers were featured in a two-page spread in the Dallas Business Journal's prestigious  40 Under 40 June publication. All participants were honored at a special recognition event.

"Corporate Hero Circle members volunteer in a way that fits their schedule," said Amy Schisler, Society regional director of corporate relations. "Each member took on the heroic task of raising funds to support the fight against cancer and elevating awareness about our organization in their communities. Members get the personal satisfaction of knowing they have made a difference in the fight against cancer, and it offers the companies they represent the opportunity to recognize them for their community involvement. It is a win-win for everyone."

Each member was nominated by a member of the Society's management team or Dallas Executive Management Board. Program participants were oriented into the Society at a breakfast hosted by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, attended a tour of the American Cancer Society Cancer Resource Center at Parkland Health & Hospital System, and were guests at a Dallas board meeting.  

Corporate Hero Circle is sponsored by longtime Society partner Medical City Dallas Hospital. The Society is appreciative of support from Paula Mele Design, Julian Noel Photography, Inc., Ali Wood Photography, and It's a Cooking Party catering. To learn more about the American Cancer Society Corporate Hero Circle, visit corporateherodallas.org.

Click here to view all photos on Flickr. 

Supporting life from DFW Reporting on Vimeo.

Relay For Life of Frisco is one 54 Relay events held in North Texas. Held on Friday, May 7, the event brought the Frisco community together to support the American Cancer Society. Special RFL guests included Frisco Mayor and cancer survivor Maher Maso, gold medal Olympians Nastia Liukin and Carly Patterson, and Frisco D-League Head Coach Nancy Lieberman.