Cancer
Running head: CANCER
Supporting the Fight Against Cancer
Broward Community College
Sheri Toledo
Professor Steele
SPC1024
Winter 2008 – T/Th – 5:00-6:15 pm
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Purpose statement:
By the end of this speech my audience will donate $10 to the American Cancer Society.
Introduction:
1. Attention grabber: Talk about the Jail and Bail. Tell them I have been arrested and
need to raise $100.00 bail for the American Cancer Society before I can get out.
2. Thesis:
a. Relate to the audience: How many of you have known someone with cancer?
Take a minute and think how that has impacted your life. Now I would like
you to think how differently it would have been, had there been a cure for
cancer.
b. Thesis: Today I would like to tell you how you can make a difference in
someone’s life that has cancer.
c.
Support thesis: The American Cancer Society states, “the money we raise is
central to supporting our mission, which aims to fight cancer through
research, education, advocacy, and service (2008).
3. Preview Main Points:
Today, I would like to talk to you about the problem of cancer, and some solutions in
helping to fight the battle against it.
Transition:
Let's begin with our first point.
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Body:
I.
Problem To understand the problem cancer causes, we must begin by
understanding what it is.
A. Complicated Disease…What is Cancer?
1.
Cancer is a term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without
control and can invade other tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other
parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. Cancer is not
just one disease, but many diseases and there are more than 100
different types of cancer (National Cancer Institute, 2008).
2. For example, in my family alone, we have faced prostate cancer,
ovarian cancer, lung cancer, and a pre cancerous mole. Can you think
of the different types of cancer the people you know have been
affected with?
B. Effects us all … Cancer affects nearly every person. They either have had
cancer themselvesor they know someone who has battled cancer.
1. Source: The American Cancer Society reports that 1 in 3 people will
get cancer in their lives and 1 in 4 will die from it. That’s about
565,650 Americans who are expected to die from it or 1,500 people a
day. 1,444,920 new cancer cases were expected in 2007 (Global
Healing Center and ACS).
2. Example: In my speech class at B.C.C., my professor asked each one
of us if we knew someone who has battled cancer and the majority of
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the class raised their hands. I would say at least 90% of the class has
been affected by this deadly disease.
Transition:
Next, I would like to talk to you about some of the solutions to help fight the cancer
battle.
II.
Solutions: So, how can we fight this horrible disease?
A. The American Cancer Society - Perhaps the organization that is doing the
most to fight cancer is the American Cancer Society.
1. Source: The ACS funds the most promising cancer research projects.
Through them, patient and early detection cancer services are available,
including support groups, breast, prostate, and skin screenings (ACS
brochure). The ACS also has a website available so you can find
information without leaving your home. You can find medical info,
treatment decision tools, news updates and support resources. You can
also read about survivors’ experiences, find hope, and inspire others.
2. Example: As a result of the American Cancer Society's efforts, each year
more survivors of cancer exist. Perhaps in the near future a cure may
actually be developed.
B. Our Speech Class -- For our persuasive speech, our entire class has agreed to
participate in the Jail and Bail fundraiser.
1. Jail and bail is a fun, unique way to raise money. It involves a mock jail
and simulated arrests of citizens by local law enforcement officers. While
in custody, the “jailbirds” have unlimited use of the phone to call friends,
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business associates, etc. to raise bail in pledges to the ACS (Jail and Bail
brochure).
2. Our speech class has decided to participate in this fund raiser, by each of
us setting a bail for ourselves and using our voices to persuade people to
help “bail us out of jail” by donating to the ACS.
Conclusion:
1. Review points: To review, today we discussed: The problem of cancer and a solution
to fight it.
2. Review Thesis:
a. Support: Each individual contribution helps ACS meet its mission to fight
cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service.
b. State: Your support can help them eradicate cancer.
c. Relate: How has cancer affected your life? Will it. Let's work together to
prevent this disease in the near future.
3. Return to Attention Grabber: Please… Bail me out of Jail! Donate $10 to the ACS
so we can fight this deadly disease by finding a cure, it could one day be yourself or
someone you love.
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References
American Cancer Society, (2008) Cancer Facts and Figures. Retrieved April 7, 2008 from www.
cancer.org/downloads/stt/2008CAFFfinal secured.pdf
American Cancer Society, (2008) Jail and Bail information paper.
American Cancer Society, (2008) Your American Cancer Society paper.
Global Healing Center, (2008) Facts You Need to Know About Cancer. Retrieved April 7, 2008
from www.ghchealth.com/facts-you-need-to-know-about-cancer.html
National Cancer Institute. (2008) Defining Cancer. Retrieved April 9, 2008 from www.cancer.
Gov/cancertopics/what-is-cancer
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Audio/Video Analysis
Strength
I really enjoyed writing this speech because of the nature of the topic and the fact that we are
doing something to help.
My voice is well heard and understood
I feel I knew this one pretty well and that I projected that through the speech.
Weaknesses
I was nervous, especially because I am not good at asking people for money, so I know I will get
lost.
I did use “um”, but not as often as I did in previous speeches.
I looked nervous and tense.
Opportunities
I think this speech will really help people understand the impact cancer has on all of us.
Keep practicing so I won’t look so nervous when I am talking about donating money.
Threats
Being very nervous when asking people to donate.
Forgetting parts of my speech, or the forms.