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Student heads to nation’s capital to fight cancer
September 16, 2006
First year student Tessie Goheen is the youngest member of a Washington state group that will be participating in the American Cancer Society’s Celebration on the Hill this week in Washington, D.C.
“Being so young, not many people my age get to do something like this or have this opportunity presented to them,” she said. “It’s such an honor.”
For the past four years, she has volunteered at the American Cancer Society and helped to organize community events. As a Washington state ambassador, Goheen may have the opportunity to testify before Congress about the need for more funding for cancer research. According to Goheen, researchers could have a cure by 2015 if they have the funding.
Her commitment to finding a cure stems from losing her father to esophageal cancer when she was eight years old and the more recent cancer diagnoses in her two younger sisters, Katie and Becky. Last December the family underwent genetic testing and learned they had a rare genetic mutation called Li-Fraumeni Syndrome.
The mutation has only been diagnosed in 400 other families worldwide, and means the family members have an 85 to 90 percent chance of developing cancer in their lifetime, Goheen said.
“Basically, we’re all going to get it,” she said. “Probably before I’m 40 I’ll be diagnosed.”
In tracing back the family’s cancer history, Goheen said they found that nearly everyone on her father’s side has been diagnosed with cancer. To give themselves a fighting chance against cancer, she and her sisters are screened at the doctor’s office at least once every three months, she said.
“Early detection is key,” Goheen explained.
Staff members at the American Cancer Society encouraged her to apply to be part of the Washington coalition attending the Celebration on the Hill this year. She was told she had a good shot at being accepted because of her long history of involvement with the cancer society, her unique story and her age.
All the ambassadors in the Washington group are much older and include American Cancer Society staff, cancer survivors, doctors and researchers. Goheen said she was excited to be selected to participate out of a group of people that have more life experience.
The Celebration on the Hill is an annual event put on by the American Cancer Society to put a personal face to the fight against cancer. Ambassadors from each state participate in a Relay for Life event on the National Mall and have the opportunity to testify before Congress about the society’s mission and to request additional funding for cancer research.
Goheen said she wouldn’t find out if she’ll testify before Congress until the group arrives at the event. However, she has prepared a speech detailing her family’s experiences with cancer, the importance of early detection and the need for more money for cancer research.
“For something that has affected my life so much, it’s nice to able to give back, to share my story and try to help an organization that has helped my family so much,” Goheen said.
For the past four years, she has volunteered at the American Cancer Society and helped to organize community events. As a Washington state ambassador, Goheen may have the opportunity to testify before Congress about the need for more funding for cancer research. According to Goheen, researchers could have a cure by 2015 if they have the funding.
Her commitment to finding a cure stems from losing her father to esophageal cancer when she was eight years old and the more recent cancer diagnoses in her two younger sisters, Katie and Becky. Last December the family underwent genetic testing and learned they had a rare genetic mutation called Li-Fraumeni Syndrome.
The mutation has only been diagnosed in 400 other families worldwide, and means the family members have an 85 to 90 percent chance of developing cancer in their lifetime, Goheen said.
“Basically, we’re all going to get it,” she said. “Probably before I’m 40 I’ll be diagnosed.”
In tracing back the family’s cancer history, Goheen said they found that nearly everyone on her father’s side has been diagnosed with cancer. To give themselves a fighting chance against cancer, she and her sisters are screened at the doctor’s office at least once every three months, she said.
“Early detection is key,” Goheen explained.
Staff members at the American Cancer Society encouraged her to apply to be part of the Washington coalition attending the Celebration on the Hill this year. She was told she had a good shot at being accepted because of her long history of involvement with the cancer society, her unique story and her age.
All the ambassadors in the Washington group are much older and include American Cancer Society staff, cancer survivors, doctors and researchers. Goheen said she was excited to be selected to participate out of a group of people that have more life experience.
The Celebration on the Hill is an annual event put on by the American Cancer Society to put a personal face to the fight against cancer. Ambassadors from each state participate in a Relay for Life event on the National Mall and have the opportunity to testify before Congress about the society’s mission and to request additional funding for cancer research.
Goheen said she wouldn’t find out if she’ll testify before Congress until the group arrives at the event. However, she has prepared a speech detailing her family’s experiences with cancer, the importance of early detection and the need for more money for cancer research.
“For something that has affected my life so much, it’s nice to able to give back, to share my story and try to help an organization that has helped my family so much,” Goheen said.