July 13 and 14, Bath Fairgrounds

The 2007 Bath Relay for Life, swcheduled for July 13-14, will celebrate survivors of cancer and honor those who have died of the disease.

The traditional Survivor's Walk will begin at 7 p.m. Friday with luminaria to be lit at sundown.

Organizers of the Relay remind Steuben county residents of the sobering local facts of cancer:

• The average mortality rate for cancer deaths per 100,000 is 247 for males and 165 for females nationwide; in Steuben County

the rate is 245 (males) and 161 (females).

• The national average mortality rate for lung and bronchus cancer is (males) 76 and (females) 50 per 100,000. In Steuben County, the average mortality rate is 80 (males) and 48 (females) per 100,000.

• The national average mortality rates for colorectal cancer is 25 (males) per 100,000 and 17 (females) per 100,000.

In Steuben County, the average mortality rate is 25 (males) per 100,000 and 18 (females) per 100,000.

• Nationally, the average mortality rate for female breast cancer is 26 per 100,000. In Steuben County the average survival rate is 28 per 100,000.

Pictured above, Kaleb Phillips, Allison Holmes and their dog, Tipsy gather with Mary Ellen Phillips, Sharon Young and Peggy Cooper at the 2005 Bath Relay for Life. FILE PHOTO Pictured above, Kaleb Phillips, Allison Holmes and their dog, Tipsy, gather with Mary Ellen Phillips, Sharon Young and Peggy Cooper during the 2005 Bath Relay for Life.

• Nationally, the average mortality rate for prostate cancer is 30 per 100,000. In Steuben County, the average rate is 29 per 100,000.

• The American Cancer Society estimates 1.4 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed this year, including 88,230 in New York state.

There will be 564,830 deaths due to cancer, with 35,600 occurring in New York.

•While national numbers have begun to decrease, the American Cancer Society warns the southern region of New York continues to see an overall increase in cancer incidence and mortality.

• Every week in Steuben County, 11 new cancer cases are diagnosed. Five deaths are caused by cancer.

FILE PHOTO Cancer survivors, friends and family members circle the Steuben County Fairgrounds during the Survivors Walk of a previous Relay for Life. FILE PHOTO Luminaria pay homage to loved ones who have suffered from the disease.