I Quit For’ Campaign Returns to Raise Awareness Amid Projected Rise in Nevada Lung Cancer Diagnoses and Growing Vape Usage
Comprehensive Cancer Centers (Comprehensive) and UNLV are bringing back its popular “I Quit For” initiative for a third consecutive year, designed to encourage people who smoke tobacco products to kick the habit and addiction.
According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 2,090 Nevadans will be diagnosed with a form of lung cancer this year, marking a nearly 24 percent increase over the 1,680 new cases projected statewide in 2017. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, accounting for more deaths than colon, breast and prostate cancer deaths combined.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers I Quit For campaign in partnership with UNLV.
Additionally, vaping figures continue to be substantial with young people. Approximately 2.1 million middle and high school students said they used e-cigarettes in 2017, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Beginning on November 1 – the first day of Lung Cancer Awareness Month – Comprehensive will place eight tobacco drop-off bins on three UNLV campuses. One bin will be placed at the Paradise Campus (851 E. Tropicana Ave., 89119), one at the Shadow Lane Campus (1001 Shadow Lane, 89106), two at the Student Union on the Maryland Campus (4505 S. Maryland Parkway, 89154) and the remaining four will be stationed at Thomas & Mack Center or Sam Boyd Stadium during events.
“The mission of this meaningful community partnership, now three years strong, remains the same – keeping Southern Nevadans healthy and from ever having to visit one of our clinics for cancer treatment,” said Jon Bilstein, executive director of Comprehensive. “With a projected rise in new lung cancer diagnoses in Nevada and a growing number of young people vaping, there has never been a better time to kick the addiction. Quitting smoking not only reduces your chance of lung cancer, but all cancers.”
Those wanting to quit may deposit any unused tobacco products in the bins and make a simple and meaningful “I Quit For” pledge. The pledge encourages attendees to write the name of a child, parent, friend or loved one to whom they are promising to quit smoking, taking the pledge to a symbolic level. They can then snap a photo of themselves with their pledge form and send it to their friends and family members, or post on social media with the hashtag #IQuitFor.
Pledge forms are attached to each drop-off bin. Additional components of the I Quit For campaign include health-focused messaging shared via on-campus video monitors, university publications and social media. Information about the campaign, tools, and resources to help individuals quit smoking and additional pledge forms are available at www.IQuitFor.com.
Comprehensive recognizes that dropping off tobacco products is only the first step in what can be a difficult process to quit smoking. Those making the “I Quit For” pledge are encouraged to take advantage of the Nevada Tobacco Quitline’s resources by visiting www.nevadatobaccoquitline.com or calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669).
About Comprehensive Cancer Centers
Comprehensive Cancer Centers is an award-winning multidisciplinary practice comprising medical oncology, hematology, radiation oncology, breast surgery, pulmonary services and clinical research, with treatment centers and offices throughout Southern Nevada. For more than 35 years, the practice has provided oncology services to patients in and out of state with a specialized physician and nursing staff. Comprehensive, an affiliate of The US Oncology Network, offers state-of-the-art technologies, latest advancements in cancer treatment and groundbreaking clinical research trails. The practice participates in more than 170 Phase I, Phase II and Phase III clinical research studies each year and has played a role in developing more than 60 FDA-approved cancer therapies. For more information, visit the company’s website, and follow the practice on Facebook and on Twitter.
About UNLV
UNLV is a doctoral-degree-granting institution of more than 30,000 students and 3,000 faculty and staff that is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a research university with high research activity. UNLV offers a broad range of respected academic programs and is on a path to join the top tier of national public research universities. The university is committed to recruiting and retaining top students and faculty, educating the region’s diversifying population and workforce, driving economic activity through increased research and community partnerships, and creating an academic health center for Southern Nevada. UNLV is located on a 332-acre main campus and two satellite campuses in Southern Nevada. Learn more at UNLV’s website.
