Well, in New York City, a group of teaching hospitals and dental schools has formed a group called the Oral Cancer Consortium and they do free oral cancer screenings on the Thursday of that week at different sites throughout the city of New York, the state of New York and New Jersey. The get some media attention on the most watched news station in New York City, newspapers, etc., and have some success. This year they are really trying to make it much more successful -- significantly increase the number of screenings done -- and I am trying to help them.

You could bring some attention to it in your area by contacting the health reporter at your local paper (if you are in Atlanta, may this might not work, but if you are in a smaller community, it might), letting them know about oral cancer awareness week, telling your husband's story, how important early detection is, tell about the oral cancer foundation. Reporters are always looking for stories and they might take you up on it and help spread the word about early detection.

Give it a try -- if we all try, we could make a big difference.

Barb