April is oral cancer awareness month. A local walk is scheduled April 27th to fund 

research for a cure, public awareness, patient support and advocacy. The fundraiser was begun by the Hoffman family in memory of their son, Peter Magee Hoffman, a graduate and Presidential scholar at George Washington University, who died tragically of oral cancer when he was 24. He had no risk factors and died 7 months after he was diagnosed. 

Many local dentists Dentists and registered hygienist volunteer their time to screen every participant at the event. Connect local dentists, doctors, hygienists, staff, dental students, survivors, those impacted and other members of the community together for one common goal – to raise awareness and find a cure.

The funds go to the Oral Cancer Foundation, a national public service, IRS registered 501©3 head and neck cancer charity, designed to reduce suffering and save lives through prevention, education, research funding, advocacy and patient support activities” (also known as mouth cancer, tongue cancer, tonsil cancer, throat cancer, salivary gland cancer, mucosal soft tissue cancer). Megan Blair, Director of Practice Development for Bethesda Chevy Chase Oral Surgery, discusses this year's walk below.

In 2015 Peter's family started “I Walk For Pete” OCF 5k in his memory. In 2018 they wanted to step back from organizing (but still support and participate) which is when Bethesda Chevy Chase Oral Surgery took over. We (BCCOS) were always a platinum sponsor and understood the impact of this horrific disease as we regularly perform biopsies and pathology in our office. There are always multiple families join who have been impacted as well has countless survivors and their support system. The Hoffman family speaks every year in memory of Peter, always emphasizing early detection, education and warning signs. We also always ask a survivor (and/or doctor) to speak as well.

 

Increase our fundraising efforts every year. Our goal this year is to raise over $60,000 and add more sponsors, community partners, team up with surrounding dental schools, encourage all colleagues to perform oral cancer screenings on their patients at every six-month hygiene visit, connect with more local survivors so they know they have a community of support.

Donate, sponsor, participate, volunteer at the event, gift an item/gift certificate for our live raffle, etc. All donations are tax deductible. On average 85% of all donations received go directly into OCFS mission-related projects annually.

--Approximately 54,000 people in the US will be newly diagnosed with oral cancer in 2024.

 --Mouth cancers are new diagnosed in 145 new individuals per day in the US alone.

 --When found at the early stages, oral cancers can have a 80-90% survival rate.

 --The Oral Cancer Foundation maintains the worlds largest oral cancer patient and survivor support group online with over 13,000 registered members .