It’s difficult not to have been touched by cancer in some way. Most people know someone who has had cancer or who has died from it. In Texas, it is the leading cause of death in persons under the age of 85 and the leading cause of disease-related deaths in children between the ages of one and 14. The Texas Cancer Registry estimates that in 2014, more than 7,000 people will have been diagnosed with cancer in Bexar County, and 2,600 people will have died from cancer.
In 2000, Stuart Bernstein’s father had been diagnosed with cancer. Once the cancer was in remission, Bernstein wanted to do more to help others who had similar stories. The costs associated with cancer are enormous: research, treatment, and post-treatment support requires extensive fundraising. While there are many cancer-oriented organizations, Bernstein realized he was looking for a more grassroots organization that would also encourage young professionals to become actively engaged in the fight against cancer. This population wanted to do more than simply write a check, they wanted to become involved. And so, in 2001, Young Texans Against Cancer was born in Houston with 44 members between the ages of 22 and 45.
The organization now boasts four chapters, with 96 members opening the San Antonio chapter in 2009. It now has more than 300 members in South Texas. Since then, they have raised more than $351,000 in San Antonio to donate to local cancer organizations. One such recipient was ThriveWell Cancer Foundation. The emotional and financial toll upon a family can be enormous during and after cancer treatment. ThriveWell provides physical and financial support to cancer patients and their families throughout the process. They are also involved in clinical trials for new cancer treatments.
YTAC San Antonio hosts several fundraising events throughout the year, such as Movember Madness at the Sporting District and the Annual Bob Conger Golf tournament. In addition to fundraising, YTAC members are actively involved in community projects, such as Methodist Children’s Hospital Christmas Toy Drive.
On Thursday, May 7, the San Antonio Chapter of YTAC will host their 2nd Annual Queso Bowl, where area chefs will compete to offer the Best Queso in San Antonio. Participating establishments include Smoke Shack, Tacos and Tequila, Boiler House, Southerleigh, TBA, Arcade, Order-Up and Teka Molino.
The event will be sponsored by Ricos with beer provided by Corona. Last year, Tacos and Tequila took home top honors. The 2015 event will take place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at The Friendly Spot. Co-owner Jody Newman said that while they are not directly involved with the group, The Friendly Spot is very happy to support a community organization by providing the venue for such a fun event.
This year’s beneficiary will be One Million for Anna, a foundation whose mission is eradicate Ewing’s sarcoma. Recognizing the difficulties young cancer sufferers face, One Million for Anna supports adolescents suffering with cancer.
“Bottom line is that cancer really really stinks, YTAC is a way for young San Antonians to come together to raise money and awareness for something that affects us all. The Queso Bowl is our fun way to ‘chip away’ at cancer,” said Julia Jessee, Chair of the Queso Bowl.
Enjoying queso and beer while fighting cancer, that’s Puro San Antonio.
For more information, contact Julia Jessee julesjessee@gmail.com or Alyson Garth alysongarth@gmail.com, YTAC Queso Bowl Co-Chairs.
*Featured/top image: The Friendly Spot at 943 S. Alamo St. Photo by Chris Day.
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More information on the 2nd Annual Queso Bowl can be found at our page: YTAC San Antonio. Hope to see everyone on Thursday!
As a preventive medicine physician and a former member of the CPRIT’s Science and Prevention Advisory Committee, I commend YTAC San Antonio’s decision to get involved and raise funds to donate to cancer-related organizations. Activities such as Movember Madness at the Sporting District and the Annual Bob Conger Golf tournament are in themselves helping participants lower their own cancer risk by enhancing physical activity.
However, it is quite ironic to set out to “fight cancer with queso.” Queso, with its high saturated fat and calorie content, needs no promotion in San Antonio with our high levels of unhealthy eating, and adult and childhood obesity. Obesity and poor eating habits cause some cancers as well as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It’s better to fight cancer with tasty fruits and vegetables (see the Food Bank’s myriad activities) and fun physical activities (see the Mayor’s Fitness Council’s myriad activities).
About 1/3 of cancer deaths are related to the lifestyle risk factors of poor eating habits, lack of physical activity, and unhealthy weight. Heavy alcohol drinking may account for another 5%. For the 80% of Texans who don’t smoke, these risk factors are the most important ones for preventing cancer.
I would hope that YTAC continue to do more promotion of physical activity and healthier eating and less of promoting foods with high saturated fat and high-sodium.
From the National Cancer Institute (NCI):
“Drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, esophagus, pharynx, larynx, and liver in men and women and of breast cancer in women. In general, these risks increase after about one daily drink for women and two daily drinks for men. (A drink is defined as 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor.)
The chances of getting liver cancer increase markedly with five or more drinks per day. Heavy alcohol use may also increase the risk of colorectal cancer and leads to greater increases in risk for most of the alcohol-related cancers. The sooner long-term, heavy alcohol use begins, the greater the cancer risk. Also, using alcohol with tobacco is riskier than using either one alone because it further increases the chances of getting cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus.”
From the Texas Cancer Plan:
“• Goal 2: Reduce cancer risk related to obesity
• Goal 3: Increase adoption of evidence-based nutrition behaviors and physical activity behaviors shown to reduce cancer risk”
“Research suggests that about one-third of cancer deaths are related to risk factors such as overweight or obesity, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition. For example, studies suggest that a high-fat diet is a risk factor for cancers of the colon, uterus, and prostate; and being overweight and physical inactivity are risk factors for cancers of the breast, colon, esophagus, kidney, and uterus.”
“The percentage of adults and high school students having a healthy weight continues to
decline. To reduce cancer risk related to obesity, more Texans must achieve and maintain
a healthy weight.”
Puro San Antonio…a healthy San Antonio economy requires healthy San Antonians.
Vince Fonseca, MD, MPH, FACPM
All valid points Vince, thanks for the reminder.
But everything in moderation….Perhaps the queso and beer imbibers can head up the road to Azuca after to work it off with some salsa dancing.
Just don’t forget, there is a cancer support group in your own backyard, C.I.O.C. Cancer is One Cancer® Cancer Support Group is based out of St. Leo’s Church, we are the only cancer support group in the southside of San Antonio, Texas. Visit our page on Facebook x
And here is our email address: cancerisonecancer@mail.com AND here is our 24/7 Cancer Support Group phone # (210) 328-5521. x Meetings are usually held twice a month. We welcome all ages, all gender, all religions and all cancer survivors of any type of cancer. “Regardless of where you have cancer, it’s still cancer”. “Cancer doesn’t discriminate and we don’t either”. Debra L. Rivas, Founder 2011 & Cancer Survivor
All cancer is horrible