Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Grabara, Ford. Rockefeller, Finck, Guest
----Source: Tribune Record Gleaner (Loyal, Clark Co., WI) 11/07/1974
Grabara, Gaile (American Cancer Society Volunteer - 1974)
Mingling with Mary (By Mary Woods)
Serving as information service Chairman for the American Cancer Society, Gaile Grabara reviews one of the many books telling of the goals and functions of the society.
It perhaps is human nature that all of us, sometime or other, wish to do something for our fellow citizens without receiving recognition. It could be a very small task that we want to accomplish on our own with the benefits going towards the other person, and in Clark County, Mrs. Gaile (George) Grabara of Greenwood volunteers her time to the American Cancer Society, serving as Information Service Chairman, hoping to inform, and educate the people on cancer and in return prevent or cure the disease.
Asked how she became interested in the American Cancer Society, Gaile states that she became interested about 20 years ago, when a friend asked her to help with the local cancer drives, and to this day continues to find the work rewarding. Following the death of the Cancer Society treasurer in 1962, she was voted into the office, and has served numerous offices up to this date.
Serving as the Lay Director for Area Six, and Information Service Chairman for Clark County, Gaile states that the area takes in 11 counties in the state, with eight areas in all. The counties she serves are Clark, Jackson, Buffalo, Adams, Eau Claire, Juneau, La Crosse, Monroe, Wood, Trempealeau, and Vernon.
Asked about the functions of the society, she states them to be three-fold, RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND SERVICE. Commenting on research, the area in which most funds are contributed to, Gaile points out that the American Cancer Society supported research programs are conducted at Marquette University, and at the Mc Ardie Laboratory at the UW-Madison. A survey printed in the “1973 Facts and Figures” magazine, published by the American Cancer Society, shows that 32.7 percent of the total 1971-72 total budget of $74,279,000 was spent towards research with the remainder divided as such – 16.7 percent public education; 10.8 percent professional education; 11.9 percent patient services; 6.8 percent community services; 11.2 percent fund raising, and 9.9 percent management, and general expenditures.
Reflecting on the education side, Gaile states that PUBLIC EDUCATION is a year-around function. The society, through various means, tries to inform the public on the different aspects of cancer; namely warning signals, research information, cure rate, the hopeful side of cancer, ways of preventing cancer, and professional education. Turning to a few of these purposes, she notes the Cancer’s Warning Signals – unusual bleeding or discharge, a lump, or thickening in the breast or elsewhere, a sore that does not heal, change in bowel or bladder habits, hoarseness or cough, indigestion, or difficulty in swallowing, and change in size of a wart or mole.
Commenting on the warning signals, she added that many women are now becoming very concerned about breast cancer since Mrs. Ford, and Mrs. Rockefeller underwent surgery with many requesting information from the society. Asked about breast cancer, Gaile quoted information from the Cancer Society, which states that breast cancer is a very highly curable form of cancer, if detected early, and one that perhaps will show a drop-in death rate due to the publicity given to it during the past few months, with more ladies having check-ups, and self-examinations.
Adding to the public education segment of cancer, Gaile states that Mrs. Fred Finck of Neillsville is Public Information Chairman for the county. As far as reaching the public, films, speakers, and numerous pamphlets, are made available to the general public, upon request to the chairman.
Turning to the function of service, Gaile explains that the Cancer Society has a Loan Closet which include such articles as two hospital beds, five wheel chairs, one fracture bed pan, four walkers, and two pair of bed rails, along with cancer dressings. “We also try to arrange for transportation of cancer patients to the hospitals or clinics for needed treatments,” she added. According to Gaile, the above equipment is available by contacting Lois Guest, service chairman of the Cancer Society, and who also serves as Clark County’s nurse.
Turning to the financial aspect of the American Cancer Society, it is pointed out by Gaile that the majority of the work is done by volunteers with approximately 25 paid employees in the state, with the president and the chairman of the unit board also volunteers. Commenting on the income of the society, she notes that the annual Cancer Crusade is made in April with several other functions conducted throughout the year. One particular function which was recently done in Clark County was a Bike-a-Thon in Greenwood, with one being planned to take place in Loyal during the spring. She added that such doings as golf tournaments, dances, and bake sales are also conducted year around in support of the cancer society.
Turning to the youth and the Cancer Society, she points out how youth related to youth, as far as warning them of cancer, particularly when it comes to smoking. She comments, “it seems that each generation can reach their own members better, whether it’s youth reaching youth, or the elderly reaching the elderly.”
Besides serving as Information Service Chairman, with the main responsibility being that of referring people to the correct committee chairman or giving information when possible, Gaile also serves on three different state committees – the Awards Committee, which is responsible to reviewing recommendations for awards or recognition; the Public Education Committee, responsible for educating the public; and the Field Services Committee, which reviews the area, and unit offices.
“Giving out information or educating the people is not the entire goal of my position,” states Gaile, “education does fall into my purpose but getting the people to act and have check-ups, and change their ideas is the final goal. Sure, education does make the difference, but unless a person used that education, what benefit will they derive from it? A recent survey shows that if you take 100 people, 25 of them will bet cancer, and of those 25, 17 will die, 8 will be saved, and 13 could have been saved … and it all goes back to educating, and informing the people on cancer, and its seven warning signals.”
Mr. and Mrs. Grabara are the parents of four children, Mandy, Tony, Max, and Fred! Mr. Grabara is owner and operator of the Greenwood Bakery.
For Gaile Grabara, serving as Information Service Chairman for the American Cancer Society of Clark County proves to be rewarding. She has in the past served the offices of treasurer, Public Information, Chairman, Public Education Chairman, and President, along with holding the office she presently serves. She states that she enjoys working with the county representatives, and finds the work to be gratifying, and rewarding.
Giving of one’s time for the benefit of others is something that we should all take time out to do, whether it is for just one day, one week, or one month, the rewards are bound to come back to us, and for Gaile Grabara of Greenwood, serving the American Cancer Society as Information Services Chairman for Clark County is something to be recognized for because when a person is out to save another person’s life … what more could one ask of anyone.
