Courtesy of LH VFW Ladies Auxiliary

One of the most important programs that the VFW Ladies Auxiliaries across the United States support is Cancer Aid & Research because almost everyone is affected by cancer in some way.  The program has four goals:  Education, research, assistance, and importance of early detection.

This year the Statewide Project for Auxiliaries is the promotion of Leiomyosarcoma (LMS), a rare cancer that is part of a family of cancers known as sarcomas.  Sarcomas are cancers that affect the soft tissues such as the connective tissues, deep skin tissues, bones, and cartilage.

Smooth muscle cells make up the involuntary muscles therefore it is possible for LMS to occur anywhere in the body.  Since it appears to grow from the muscle layer of a blood vessel, the primary site or origin can be anywhere in the body where there is a blood vessel.

LMS is very unpredictable and generally not responsive to chemotherapy or radiation.  Surgery is the most effective and preferred way to combat this terrible cancer.  Each case is different and results have a wide range of effectiveness.

If we are to increase our survival, we must increase our research assistance.  That’s why Ladies Auxiliaries all across Texas are happy to support this most worthy program.