As a volunteer for the American Cancer Society for more than 40 years, Indiana resident Mary Margaret Moorhead has witnessed great strides in the fight against cancer.

At a time when cancer information was difficult to find, Mary Margaret volunteered to participate in Cancer Prevention Study 2 (CPS-2), an ongoing study designed to study a wide range of exposures that may affect cancer risk. She is one of the 1.2 million participants in CPS-2 who have contributed to research that has furthered our understanding of cancer.

"People didn’t want to talk about it back then," recalled Mary Margaret. "Most people didn’t believe very strongly in a cancer prevention study because they didn’t realize how much we were affected by our environment, our health and nutrition habits – even our heredity."

The American Cancer Society began conducting large-scale behavioral studies in the 1950s. Large groups of individuals are recruited and then followed over time to assess their health outcomes and determine how those outcomes are related to exposure data, such as lifestyle.

"A lot of hospitals and doctors did not have tumor registries, nor did they give you that information if they had it," said Mary Margaret, who also recruited cancer patients to be a part of CPS-2. "We were often limited to people we knew so it was difficult to find those willing to discuss their health problems."

Mary Margaret realized that CPS-2 was going to provide valuable cancer information, but she didn’t realize just how big of an impact it would have. "There weren’t many survivors in my day and now there are thousands," she said. "That’s real proof that we have made a difference."

Mary Margaret’s dedication to the fight against cancer is shared by her son, Rob Moorhead.

"My involvement with the American Cancer Society has really been the inspiration of my mother and following her example," said Rob, who often accompanied his mother to her ACS volunteer activities as a youth.

Now principal of South Dearborn High School, Rob is heavily involved in the Relay For Life of Dearborn and Ohio Counties. The event was chosen as one of the six CPS-3 sites in the Great Lakes Division, and Rob will follow his mother’s lead by signing up for the study.

"Anything we can do as volunteers and individuals to find a cure for this disease that takes so many lives is a good thing," said Rob.

Participating in research studies allows people to contribute to a better understanding of disease prevention. For CPS-3, this means a once in a lifetime opportunity to contribute to knowledge that will reduce the burden of cancer for this and future generations.

"It is fitting that Rob continues our family’s involvement," said Mary Margaret. "My generation took part in CPS-2, which has been quite valuable in learning more about cancer. Now it is his generation’s turn to continue the study of cancer prevention with the hope that someday we can conquer this horrible disease."

To learn more about CPS-3 and to find an enrollment site near you, visit www.cancer.org/cps3.

Pictured: Mary Margaret Moorhead

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