Letter to the Cancer Society

[surbitonPete]

Not sure. I started out my letter stating that I would no longer support them in anyway. Maybe if more and more people state that, they might listen. Who knows
Stephanie

Money always speaks Steph....there are a 'lot' of people living an extremely good lifestyle 'working' for the cancer society. They sure wouldn't want to have to find another job.

 

[chokmah]

Well I truely suck at writing letters to official people but if anyone else writes to them or could speak on my behalf that would be great. My husband has been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and smoked less than I who atm is healthy. There is also the issue with second hand smoke to non smokers that get cancer. The PV seems to at least save those who have never smoked from the harmful known carcengens from analogs.

 

[Steph2323]

It looks like they may actually be reading the letters...probably more so than the politicians involved. They seem to be getting more specific with each letter. Is there any chance that one of you who has tried and failed with the 5 FDA approved types of NRT's could write to the ACS? Let them know that none of the 5 NRT's have worked for you, and that e-cigs have. And then ask for their official recommendation as to whether you should continue with the e-cig, or switch back to tobacco.

These are the 5 FDA approved NRT's cited on the ACS's website:

ACS :: Guide to Quitting Smoking

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved 5 types of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT):
Nicotine patches (transdermal nicotine systems):
Nicotine gum (nicotine polacrilex):
Nicotine nasal spray:
Nicotine inhalers:
Nicotine lozenges:

I would do it, but I've never tried any of those and have only tried cold turkey before e-cigs.

And maybe also inquire as to how they can mention combining NRT's as an option (when it's not FDA approved), but demonize e-cigs:

I just wrote back and told them that I had tried most of their method and what would they suggest that I do. Will post reponse when I get it
Stephanie

 

[Steph2323]

Well I truely suck at writing letters to official people but if anyone else writes to them or could speak on my behalf that would be great. My husband has been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and smoked less than I who atm is healthy. There is also the issue with second hand smoke to non smokers that get cancer. The PV seems to at least save those who have never smoked from the harmful known carcengens from analogs.

I'm sorry about your husband, and hope that he can beat this terrible disease.
Stephanie

 

[Steph2323]

Got a quick answer this time. Now referring us to the fda. hmmm

Dear Stephanie,

Please accept our condolences for the loss of your parents to cancer. We
understand your desire to resist the temptation to return to smoking, and are
glad that the electronic cigarettes have been helpful to you. You may want to
contact the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ask if they have any plans to
conduct testing on electronic cigarettes in the U.S. Their contact information
is provided below for your convenience:

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
888-463-6332
U S Food and Drug Administration Home Page

If electronic cigarettes are banned you might want to call the Society's tobacco
cessation telephone program titled Quitline. The program offers self-help
materials, telephone counseling, community referrals and/or Internet resources
to eligible callers who want to quit using tobacco. Services available are
based on geographical location. For more information, please call 877-YES-QUIT
(877-937-7848).

You might also want to consider using some other type of nicotine replacement
therapy, such as nicotine gum, nicotine patches, inhalers, or nasal spray. You
can read more about the best ways to use these products at the following link on
our website:
Thank you for contacting your American Cancer Society.

Anne
Online Cancer Information Specialist

I did lose both of my parents to cancer in the last 16 months, so that is what they are referring to in the letter. I explained that even after this, I still could not smoking until I found the ecig.
Stephanie

 

[Chevron07]

Steph, way to put their feet to the fire! In no way would I presume to suggest how to spend your money, but what would it take for you to resume your support of the ACS? Let them know. You have their ear, now make sure you follow up with a call to action from them.

Something like..."I would be happy to continue my support of the ACS if they ________"

________ being whatever you may want from them.
- give e-cigs the same status on their web site (and when asked for a comment from the media )as "combining FDA approved NRT's" - Looks to help, but not yet approved by FDA, and testing is underway.
- help raise money for testing e-cigs
- pressure the FDA for a stay of execution on a device that has helped so many get away from cancer causing carcinogens.

edit:

Also, let them know that you will/have talked to the FDA, but since they are not banned now, your immediate concern is with a "CANCER SOCIETY" not __________(see above), leading to other authorities referring back to the ACS when arguing against the merits a potential life saving device.

 

[TropicalBob]

Be realistic. What we desperately want is for health agencies to abandon a rigid quit-or-die philosophy and support a harm reduction philosophy. E-cigs could, with proper testing, be part of harm reduction for cigarette smokers.

You don't want a "quit line". You want a "safer alternative" line to help with your addiction.

 

[Steph2323]

Steph, way to put their feet to the fire! In no way would I presume to suggest how to spend your money, but what would it take for you to resume your support of the ACS? Let them know. You have their ear, now make sure you follow up with a call to action from them.

Something like..."I would be happy to continue my support of the ACS if they ________"

________ being whatever you may want from them.
- give e-cigs the same status on thier web site (and when asked for a comment from the media )as "combining FDA approved NRT's" - Looks to help, but not yet approved by FDA, and testing is underway.
- help raise money for testing e-cigs
- pressure the FDA for a stay of execution on a device that has helped so many get away from cancer causing carcinogens.

I could do this, but we need a lot more of us to do so. If I don't give them 50, what do they care? If I was a big donor, then maybe. Or if there were a lot if, then yes. It was in my first letter that I said I would no longer support them. Let me think about this....
Stephanie

 

[Chevron07]

Be realistic. What we desperately want is for health agencies to abandon a rigid quit-or-die philosophy and support a harm reduction philosophy. E-cigs could, with proper testing, be part of harm reduction for cigarette smokers.

You don't want a "quit line". You want a "safer alternative" line to help with your addiction.

LOL...I guess that pretty much sums up my position.

Steph,

Hopefully for every post, there are tens or hundreds of people lurking and thinking the same thing. Who's to say that there isn't someone reading this thread that donates thousands to the ACS. Your $50 got them to say:

"We
understand your desire to resist the temptation to return to smoking, and are
glad that the electronic cigarettes have been helpful to you."

It's more than we've seen from Lautenburg or the FDA. Anyone who donates and supports e-cigs should do the same as you have.

 

[surbitonPete]

How about hinting about the fact that there are over 3,ooo of us on this forum that will not be making any contributions to a society that doesn't work in the interest's of our health.

 

[Steph2323]

LOL...I guess that pretty much sums up my position.

Steph,

Hopefully for every post, there are tens or hundreds of people lurking and thinking the same thing. Who's to say that there isn't someone reading this thread that donates thousands to the ACS. Your $50 got them to say:

"We
understand your desire to resist the temptation to return to smoking, and are
glad that the electronic cigarettes have been helpful to you."

It's more than we've seen from Lautenburg or the FDA. Anyone who donates and supports e-cigs should do the same as you have.

I hear what your are saying and I hope that you are right. I'll write back to them as soon as I can gather my thoughts, and include the suggestions here suggestion here
Who knew this was going to be so much work!!! I thought once I quit, I wouldn't have to fight so hard.lol
Stephanie

 

[Steph2323]

This is my latest letter...
Anne,
Thank you for your condolences and suggestions.
I have contacted the FDA, but have yet to receive a response.
I have used hotlines, hypnosis and every other NRT product over the past 30 years,but have unfortunately failed on all of them. I have even paid for hypnosis,private cessation courses,ect. It has been proven that nicotine is an extremely addictive drug, and success rates for current cessation methods are very poor. We have a product here that in polls has shown a 60 -75 % success rate for smokers. The product works, does not harm anyone, and could eliminate cancers that are caused by smoking. There is research,but we need more.If you would support additional research for this product, I would donate, and also pledge to raise additional money for this cause.Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Stephanie

Wil post any response
Stephanie

 

[Steph2323]

Another quick response!!
Dear Stephanie,

Thanks for letting us know about your willingness to support research on the
effectiveness of electronic cigarettes in helping smokers to quit smoking.
Please know that we have forwarded your message to the appropriate staff person,
who will contact you shortly if we have any further information to share
regarding this matter.

If you know someone who is currently conducting research on electronic
cigarettes and would like to view information on Society grants for independent
investigators, mentored training and career development, predoctoral training,
professorships, special initiatives, and international research programs, please
visit the Funding Opportunities section of our website at:

ACS :: Funding Opportunities.

Thank you for contacting your American Cancer Society.

Nicole

 

[jamie]

Over the years I've been approached quite a few times for ACS donations or asked to participate in one of their many fundraising activities. Oddly enough, none of the fundraisers mentioned that donations were badly needed for:

* independent investigators
* mentored training
* career development
* predoctoral training
* professorships​

 

[Steph2323]

Over the years I've been approached quite a few times for ACS donations or asked to participate in one of their many fundraising activities. Oddly enough, none of the fundraisers mentioned that donations were badly needed for:

* independent investigators
* mentored training
* career development
* predoctoral training
* professorships
​

I know. It's really aggravating. I wonder if anyone is a grant writer, or could write a proposal to get a study done. We may be able to get them to fund it
Stephanie

 

[jamie]

I wonder if anyone is a grant writer, or could write a proposal to get a study done. We may be able to get them to fund it

They wouldn't even read it unless the writer/submitter is a mainstream known and working scientist with a peer-reviewed proposal and available facilities.

 

[Steph2323]

They wouldn't even read it unless the writer/submitter is a mainstream known and working scientist with a peer-reviewed proposal and available facilities.

Maybe, but money talks, and if we got enough members to contribute, it's possible. They don't want bad press either. If we say there is a product that is helping people to quit(notice I'm not calling it an nrt) and there was a legitimate proposal, they may do it. Someone needs to do a proposal or study anyway, so if they did refuse, it's not a waste of time.
Stephanie