ABC'S CHARLIE GIBSON SAYS THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PUT CANCER RESEARCH AND CANCER BACK ON THE FRONT BURNER, AND IN THE FRONT OF PEOPLE'S MINDS.

BUT---WHERE DO WE STAND LOCALLY IN THE THIS FIGHT AGAINST CANCER?

I SPOKE WITH NANCY HILLIS A REPRESENTIVE WITH THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY AND SHE SAYS THE SOCIETY SPENDS A LARGE AMOUNT OF TIME EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY ON THE FACTS SUUROUNDING THE DISEASE.

"We're out there to let people know that there are people in their community that this is actually affecting, and hoe important it is that we come together as a family to support them, no one should ever go through this alone," says Hillis.

NEW CANCER STATISTICS FOR VICTORIA COUNTY WILL NOT BE COMPILED UNTIL NEXT MONTH. BUT TAKE A LOOK AT THE STATISTICS FOR THE NATION.1.5 MILLION PEOPLE WERE DIAGNOSED LAST YEAR ALONE. OVER HALF OF THOSE PEOPLE WILL DIE FROM THE DISEASE. ---THAT MEANS 1 IN 4 DEATHS WILL BE THE RESULT OF CANCER.

BUT---HILLIS SAYS THERE IS DEFINITELY HOPE.

THE CURE RATE FOR CANCER WAS 66% IN 2002 COMPARED TO 51% IN 1977.

"Things are improving. There is new research out there and basically our forum is to educate and inform," says Hillis.

WHICH LOCAL BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR, CHERYL BENAVIDEZ, FEELS IS MOST IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES TO CANCER AWARENESS.

"I think the education part for the people, uhh is most detrimental," says Benavidez.

BENAVIDEZ SAYS MANY PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT SOME OF THE MORE SIMPLE THINGS THAT SHOW UP ON AND IN YOUR BODY COULD BE CANCER. SHE FOUND THE LOCAL ACS TO BE VERY HELPFUL AND SUPPORTIVE IN HER OWN FIGHT...

AND, ALTHOUGH SHE IS A SURVIVOR SHE STILL WISH'S SHE WOULD HAVE EDUCATED HERSELF MORE ON THE DISEASE PRIOR TO HER BATTLE.

"You have your chance, you're still here. Ya know, take advantage of what we have today, because we don't know what we'll have tomorrow," says Benavidez.