American Cancer Society 48xxxx Accounting

Summary

Podcast Summary: American Cancer Society 48xxxx Accounting Harold's Old Time Radio – Released March 6, 2025

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Introduction to Cancer Control Month

The episode titled "American Cancer Society 48xxxx Accounting" serves as a comprehensive overview of Cancer Control Month, emphasizing the pivotal role of the American Cancer Society (ACS) in the ongoing fight against cancer. The narrative begins at [00:31], transitioning from initial advertisements to the core message of the episode.

Purpose and Accountability of Cancer Control Month

At [00:33], the Cancer Society Representative introduces Cancer Control Month as a period dedicated to providing transparency regarding the allocation of funds donated by the public. She states:

“It is your money that is being spent in the fight to control cancer. You are entitled to know where it goes and how it is being used.” ([00:33])

This segment underscores the importance of donor trust and highlights the ACS’s commitment to accountability.

Three Pillars of Cancer Control: Research, Service, and Education

The discussion progresses with the Cancer Educator outlining the three foundational strategies employed by ACS to combat cancer:

1. Research ([01:18] – [01:28]):

   • Narrator mentions, “Hundreds of research projects in our greatest medical, educational and industrial institutions” ([01:23]).
   • This highlights the extensive investment in groundbreaking research aimed at understanding and finding cures for various cancers.

2. Service ([01:28] – [01:40]):

   • Margie, representing ACS services, describes programs that provide public information on cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment facilities available in communities.
   • This ensures that individuals have access to necessary resources and support systems.

3. Education ([01:40] – [07:21]):

   • Dr. Hanley emphasizes education as the most crucial aspect, stating, “Education. It's a word that always sounds a little heavy, but in this case, it translates itself dramatically.” ([03:20])
   • The narrative introduces Bill Goran's story as a case study illustrating the impact of education on early detection and successful treatment.

Bill Goran’s Story: A Testament to Early Detection

The heart of the episode revolves around Bill Goran, a relatable character whose journey with cancer underscores the critical importance of early detection:

• Initial Concerns ([02:19] – [03:19]):

  • Bill notices a persistent sore on his lip, leading to a discussion with his mother about the possibility of cancer.
  • The Cancer Educator narrates, “But on the other hand, it could be cancer” ([02:53]), highlighting the fear and uncertainty surrounding cancer diagnoses.

• Seeking Medical Help ([03:20] – [05:20]):

  • Inspired by a field representative from ACS, Bill decides to consult Dr. Hanley early on, avoiding delays that could worsen his condition.
  • Dr. Hanley advises, “if you think you might have cancer, see your doctor and see him early. That was the important thing.” ([03:26])

• Diagnosis and Treatment ([05:20] – [07:21]):

  • Bill receives a biopsy confirmation from Dr. Hanley, who informs him of his cancer diagnosis but also of the high likelihood of a successful treatment due to early detection.
  • Dr. Hanley optimistically states, “There’s a very good chance. Better than even.” ([05:37])
  • Three months later, Bill is declared cured, reinforcing the message that early intervention can save lives.

Dispelling Myths and Combating Misinformation

The episode transitions to address common misconceptions about cancer, using a dialogue between Margie and a Geico Representative to illustrate how misinformation can lead to harmful behaviors:

• Misconceptions about Cancer Causes ([08:18] – [10:20]):
  • The Geico Rep erroneously links aluminum cookware to cancer, prompting Margie to challenge the baseless claim.
  • The Cancer Educator comments, “Margie is an intelligent woman, yet she honestly believes cancer is caused by eating food prepared in aluminum utensils… dangerous because they cost human lives.” ([10:20])

This segment emphasizes the ACS’s role in educating the public to distinguish between credible information and myths that can endanger health.

American Cancer Society’s Educational Initiatives

The Cancer Educator outlines the multifaceted educational strategies employed by ACS to inform and protect the public:

• Professional Development ([11:12] – [11:24]):

  • “Refresher courses for doctors on the latest developments in cancer and new techniques of diagnosis and treatment.” ([11:12])

• Public Outreach ([11:24] – [12:15]):

  • Margie and Dr. Hanley mention various outreach methods, including symposiums, seminars, medical films, slides, literature distribution, and multilingual publications.
  • ACS utilizes posters in public transportation, offices, factories, and reaches diverse groups through radio programs, films, and community events.

The Ongoing Battle and Call to Action

Concluding around [12:15], the Cancer Educator passionately appeals for continued support:

“The battle for cancer control is going on and it must still go on. This is an expensive battle. It costs money. The American Cancer Society needs your contribution to carry on the fight. It must have it to go on saving lives.” ([12:15])

This call to action reinforces the necessity of sustained financial support to maintain and expand ACS’s vital programs.

Conclusion and Credits

The episode wraps up with a recognition of the contributors:

“An Accounting was narrated by Roger de Koven, written by Max Ehrlich, produced and directed by Walter King.” ([13:30])

This acknowledgment highlights the collaborative effort behind presenting ACS’s mission and impact.

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Notable Quotes

• Cancer Society Rep ([00:33]):

  “It is your money that is being spent in the fight to control cancer. You are entitled to know where it goes and how it is being used.”

• Cancer Educator ([03:20]):

  “Education. It's a word that always sounds a little heavy, but in this case, it translates itself dramatically.”

• Bill Goran ([05:05]):

  “So it is. Cancer. Well, what are we going to do?”

• Dr. Hanley ([05:37]):

  “There’s a very good chance. Better than even. Because what you have, bill, is a cancer in the early stages, and that's a very large factor in your favor.”

• Cancer Educator ([10:20]):

  “Margie is an intelligent woman, yet she honestly believes cancer is caused by eating food prepared in aluminum utensils… dangerous because they cost human lives.”

• Cancer Educator ([12:15]):

  “The battle for cancer control is going on and it must still go on. This is an expensive battle. It costs money. The American Cancer Society needs your contribution to carry on the fight.”

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Key Takeaways

1. Transparency and Accountability: The ACS emphasizes responsible management of donations, ensuring donors are informed about how their contributions are utilized in research, services, and education.

2. Importance of Early Detection: Through Bill Goran’s story, the episode illustrates that early diagnosis significantly increases the chances of successful treatment and survival.

3. Combating Misinformation: The dialogue between Margie and the Geico Rep serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unfounded beliefs and the necessity for accurate cancer information.

4. Comprehensive Educational Efforts: The ACS employs a wide array of educational tools and outreach programs to inform both medical professionals and the general public about cancer prevention, detection, and treatment.

5. Continuous Support Needed: The battle against cancer is ongoing and resource-intensive, necessitating sustained financial support from the community to maintain and enhance ACS’s initiatives.

This episode effectively conveys the multifaceted approach of the American Cancer Society in combating cancer and calls listeners to actively support its mission through informed contributions.

Transcript

[Geico Rep]

Geico's motorcycle expertise gives me the coverage I need. Like 24. Seven claims, I'm on cloud nine.

[Cloud Specialist]

Clouds are wholly unable to support the weight of an adult human.

[Geico Rep]

What's happening?

[Cloud Specialist]

Furthermore, clouds are not numbered. Even if you procured a jetpack and searched, you'd find no cloud numbered nine. However, at that altitude, you'd likely befriend a flock of migrating snow geese. Geese who'd encourage you to leave your 24.7geico motorcycle claims insurance behind as they would take you in and even share their dinner of crickets and clovers with you. Geico assumes no liability for any indigestion that may occur from a clover cricket dinner. Geico expertise for your motorcycle.

[Narrator]

This is cancer control month.

[Cancer Society Rep]

Cancer control month. It is the time when the American cancer society comes to you with an accounting for. It is your money that is being spent in the fight to control cancer. You are entitled to know where it goes and how it is being used. Without your voluntary contributions, the American cancer Society cannot act as your shield to blunt the deadly sword of this ravishing killer. Only with your contributions now can it continue to carry the fight against cancer in the future. The American cancer Society presents now the story of what your money does in the fight against cancer.

[Cancer Educator]

It fights cancer in these three ways. First, research.

[Narrator]

Hundreds of research projects in our greatest medical, educational and industrial institutions.

[Cancer Educator]

Second, service.

[Margie]

A program designed to provide a source of public information concerning cancer and the facilities available in your community for the detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

[Dr. Hanley]

And third, perhaps the most important control of them all, education.

[Cancer Educator]

Education. It's a word that always sounds a little heavy, but in this case, it translates itself dramatically. Take the case of Bill Goran. You've met him before. He's someone you know, or you yourself. Nothing spectacular about Bill. He isn't a celebrity or anything like that. Just a successful young businessman. Works hard, pays his bills, saves a little, concerns himself with the ordinary things we concern ourselves with. Anyway, one day, Bill was standing before the mirror when his mother came into the room.

[Bill Goran]

Bill, if you don't hurry, you're going to be late for the office. Oh, and why on earth are you staring in the mirror?

[Narrator]

Well, it's that. It's that sore on my lip, mother.

[Bill Goran]

Oh, now, don't tell me you're worrying about that again. Well, I. I've been talking about it and staring at it in the mirror every day for the last week, son, and I don't know what you're making such a fuss about.

[Narrator]

Well, I'm a little worried about it. That's all.

[Bill Goran]

Good heavens. Why, it's only a little sore. It'll go away.

[Narrator]

That's what I thought, but it hasn't gone away. Seems to me that it's getting bigger all the time.

[Bill Goran]

Nonsense. It's just your imagination.

[Cancer Educator]

Maybe.

[Narrator]

But on the other hand, it could be.

[Bill Goran]

Could be what?

[Narrator]

Cancer.

[Bill Goran]

Cancer? Oh, of all the silly things. Son, what on earth has come over you? Why, it's absurd, ridiculous. It couldn't be cancer. You're like a little child afraid of the dark, looking for the boogeyman under your bed.

[Narrator]

All right, I'll admit it. I'm not just worried, mother. I'm scared. Darn scared.

[Bill Goran]

Oh, no.

[Narrator]

And I don't think I'm going to wait around for it to go away.

[Bill Goran]

What are you going to do?

[Narrator]

Not after hearing that speaker at the club last week.

[Bill Goran]

What speaker?

[Narrator]

He was a field representative of the american cancer society.

[Bill Goran]

What did he have to say?

[Narrator]

Well, he told us some of the primary symptoms of cancer, and he kept banging away at one thing. He said, if you think you might have cancer, see your doctor and see him early. That was the important thing. See him early. Now, mother, I'm not taking any chances. I'm not going to wait any longer.

[Bill Goran]

Don't tell me you're going to run right down and see Dr. Hanley.

[Narrator]

That's just what I'm going to do.

[Bill Goran]

Bill goran, don't be a fool. You're just going to give Dr. Hanley $5 for nothing. Why, if everyone ran to his doctor just because of a little sore on the skin, there wouldn't be time or money for anything else.

[Narrator]

Maybe, but I'm not taking any chances. I'm going to the doctors. Now, this.

[Cancer Educator]

Bill goran was taking no chances. To him, cancer was not something that only happens to the other fellow in the doctor's office.

[Narrator]

This sore on my lip, Dr. Hanley, what does it look like?

[Dr. Hanley]

Can't tell yet. Bill, I'll want to take a biopsy.

[Narrator]

Biopsy?

[Dr. Hanley]

Yes. We'll take a piece of tissue from the affected part and examine it under a microscope.

[Narrator]

I see. And after that?

[Dr. Hanley]

After that, we'll have to hope for the best.

[Cancer Educator]

There was the biopsy, and after that, the waiting. The tense and worried waiting. And then finally.

[Dr. Hanley]

Hello? Is this bill goran?

[Cancer Educator]

Yes.

[Dr. Hanley]

This is Dr. Hanley.

[Cancer Educator]

Oh, Doctor.

[Narrator]

What?

[Dr. Hanley]

Come down to my office, bill.

[Narrator]

What is it, doctor?

[Dr. Hanley]

Bill, I'm sorry to tell you, but it's cancer.

[Narrator]

So it is. Cancer. Well, what are we going to do?

[Cancer Educator]

Do?

[Dr. Hanley]

We're going to treat it, bill. We're going to perform a little operation.

[Narrator]

Then there's a chance.

[Dr. Hanley]

Sure, There's a very good chance. Better than even. Because what you have, bill, is a cancer in the early stages, and that's a very large factor in your favor.

[Cancer Educator]

And so bill goran had cancer. His mother collapsed when he told her. And bill, well, he was worried, frightened, naturally. Who wouldn't be? But he drew strength from his doctor, Dr. Handley. He said the cancer was in an early stage. That was the big thing, the important thing that was in his favor. And then after about three months, the.

[Dr. Hanley]

Doctor said, Bill, sit down.

[Narrator]

Yes, Dr. Henley.

[Dr. Hanley]

Now, three months ago, you came in to see me with cancer on the lip.

[Narrator]

Yes.

[Dr. Hanley]

Now, I've got some good news for you. To all practical extents and purposes, you're cured. Of course, we'll want to wait five years before we can definitely close your case. Right now, there's nothing to worry about.

[Narrator]

Cured. Dr. Hanley, I. I don't know what to say.

[Dr. Hanley]

Well, I do. You're a very lucky boy, bill. You came in to see me when your cancer was in the early stages, and that made all the difference in the world. You had waited. You had come in for a diagnosis later, when the cancer was in a more advanced stage. The consequences might have been very ser.

[Cancer Educator]

Yes, Bill goran is a very lucky boy. He had cancer and he lived. Why? Because somewhere he had read or heard that it was important to see the doctor early, to get at the cancer early. At that stage, he had a 75% chance of complete cure. But others, like bill goran, must be reached, must be educated, must be. Must know many elementary things about cancer. This killer has been claiming lives since before the dawn of recorded history. It is as old as man, as old as life itself. There is no person or living thing immune to the ravages of cancer. You would think then that in this enlightened era we would know. We would seek out information about cancer with which to help us protect ourselves against it. You might think we would yet. Listen to this.

[Margie]

Marjorie, what in the world's going on out there?

[Geico Rep]

Oh, nothing. I'm just getting some pots out of the cupboard.

[Margie]

You sound as if you're getting them all out and all over the floor.

[Geico Rep]

Sorry if I disturbed you, dear. I didn't think they were going to fall.

[Margie]

Well, here, let me help you pick them up.

[Geico Rep]

Oh, thanks, but that won't be necessary.

[Margie]

How. Why you keeping your cooking utensils on the floor these days?

[Geico Rep]

Well, these I am until tomorrow morning.

[Margie]

Oh, then what?

[Geico Rep]

I'm throwing them out after I get them all together, throwing them out.

[Margie]

Well, they look perfectly good to me. What's the matter with them?

[Geico Rep]

They're all aluminum. Could you reach that large frying pan up there? I don't use it very often, but it's going to all right.

[Dr. Hanley]

Here.

[Margie]

Margie, I don't get this. These pots and pans are in perfect condition. Some of them aren't very new, but there's years of service left in them. You haven't won a new set on a radio quiz program, have you?

[Geico Rep]

No, that's not it. And you're probably going to kick like a steer at the expense of replacing these. But I'm doing it for the sake of our health.

[Margie]

What's the matter with our health?

[Geico Rep]

Nothing. Nothing at all. I just want to keep it that way.

[Margie]

Now, look, just what are you talking about?

[Geico Rep]

Well, you know that Helen's husband died of cancer last week?

[Margie]

I know that, yes, but what's it got to do with us?

[Geico Rep]

Simply this. Why did Pa get cancer?

[Margie]

I don't know. Why does anyone get cancer?

[Geico Rep]

Well, that's what I wanted to know, so I made it my business to find out. I spoke to Helen about it, and she's convinced Paul's cancer was caused by her cooking in aluminum pots all the time.

[Margie]

Oh, come now. You're not serious about that.

[Geico Rep]

I sure am. I've heard it before, and now I'm convinced it's true.

[Margie]

Margie, you're an intelligent woman. I can't believe you'd accept something as foolish as that.

[Geico Rep]

I'm throwing these pots out and we're getting a complete new set of porcelain ones. We're not going to take any chances on getting cancer.

[Margie]

People don't get cancer from eating food cooked in aluminum utensils. Now, we're not throwing these away. Honestly, I never heard anything as crazy as that.

[Cancer Educator]

Yes, Margie is an intelligent woman, yet she honestly believes cancer is caused by eating food prepared in aluminum utensils. This is just one of the many dangerously wrong notions about cancer, dangerous because they cost human lives. This knowledge is passed along with good intentions but deadly effect. The truth, authentic facts about cancer must be known by everyone. Through the educational programs of the American Cancer Society. They are becoming more widely known right now. The money you gave and the money you will give is working for you, for your loved ones, your neighbors, your friends. The American Cancer Society uses these methods to educate the people about cancer. And there are only a few of the sum total.

[Narrator]

Through a professional educational program, through the Society's medical and scientific departments. It brings Refresher courses for doctors on the latest developments in cancer and new techniques of diagnosis and treatment.

[Margie]

It arranges professional symposiums, seminars, exhibits medical films, slides, distributes literature.

[Dr. Hanley]

The American Cancer Society reaches the people through thousands upon thousands of publications and pamphlets in five different languages.

[Narrator]

It exhibits posters in trolleys, buses, offices, factories. It reaches special groups, professional women, businessmen, industrial workers.

[Margie]

It brings the facts of cancer control to the people over the radio with talks, announcements, dramatic program and through films.

[Dr. Hanley]

To movie audiences, through speakers, addressing clubs.

[Narrator]

Associations, church and community groups, and by.

[Margie]

Educational exhibits whenever and wherever possible.

[Cancer Educator]

This is where your money goes in cancer control education. To arouse the indifferent, to reassure the frightened, to re educate the misinformed, to activate the informed, to put the whole nation on the alert against bread cancer. This is how part of the contribution you gave to the American Cancer Society is being used, combined with its programs of research and service. This is the job the society is doing for you. But the job is nowhere near done. The battle for cancer control is going on and it must still go on. This is an expensive battle. It costs money. The American Cancer Society needs your contribution to carry on the fight. It must have it to go on saving lives. For after all, it is supported by your money. Give as much as you can. Give more than you can. This is a fight for life. And it may be your life.

[Cancer Society Rep]

An Accounting was narrated by Roger de Koven, written by Max Ehrlich, produced and directed by Walter King.