Source: The Oral Cancer Foundation
Author: John Pohl

Nashville Hygienists Walk to Promote Oral Cancer Detection

For the second straight year, the Nashville Area Dental Hygienists’ Society (NADHS) has organized a successful walk to raise both oral cancer awareness and funding for the Oral Cancer Foundation.  Despite grey skies and cold temperatures, the $7,700 raised by “Boot Scootin’ for Oral Cancer Screening II” represented more than a 20% increase over the inaugural event’s results.

The walk took place took place the morning of Saturday, March 13 at Nashville’s Centennial Park.  Outgoing NADHS president Nicki Raines, who had convinced the organization to embrace the cause of oral cancer detection when she began her two-year presidential term, and her 6-person committee worked countless hours to ensure that the event would top last year’s efforts.  Before the walk, participants were treated to three inspiring speakers.  Two are oral cancer survivors:  Kathi Gill, a Georgia resident who attended but did not speak at the 2009 walk, and ShayLynn Grant, a 24-year-old from Kentucky.  The third speaker was Cydney Miller, Mrs. Tennessee International, who is a staunch advocate of early cancer detection.

As with last year’s event, Nashville area merchants outdid themselves with their display of southern hospitality.  Auction and raffle items donated include bags of groceries from Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, gift cards from Wal-Mart, fine wines from anonymous donors, and autographed memorabilia by such Nashville area superstars as George Strait, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Brooks and Dunn (whose “Boot Scoot Boogie” mega-hit song inspired the event’s theme).  The 100-plus attendees were also treated to coffee donated by Starbucks, water donated by Kroger’s, and donuts donated by Krispy Kreme.

One significant upgrade from the inaugural event was the availability of free oral cancer screenings for all attendees.

The event committee was able to generate local awareness of the walk through posters displayed at area Starbucks and Panera Bread stores and news releases sent to all local media.  In fact, a local TV station aired an interview with ShayLynn Grant both the night before and the morning of the walk.

According to Nicki Raines, “I can’t say enough about the dedication of my committee members, the generosity of the merchants who supported the walk, or the compassion of our walkers and their supporters.”   She was also very grateful for the counsel and materials provided by two key representatives of the Oral Cancer Foundation:  founder and executive director Brian Hill, and event coordinator Susan Lauria.  In fact, Nicki has been so inspired by their support that she has recently agreed to serve part-time as the foundation’s Southeast Dental Hygiene Liaison while continuing her hygienist duties.

Shortly after her Nashville walk, Nicki was already acting in her new capacity by driving to Chattanooga to lend her support to that city’s first-ever oral cancer walk.  But even though she now has 11 states to coordinate, she isn’t forgetting her Nashville roots:  she’s already making plans for “Boot Scootin’ for Oral Cancer Screening III.”