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Founded in 1850 and formed by taking parts of other counties. Vinton is the least populated county in Ohio. In 2022 the population was 12,800   In 2022 it was the next to lowest county in Ohio per capita income.  Major employers in the county are  in the following order of large to small: Government, Austin Powder Corporation, Vinton County National Bank, Sand Hills Coal, Huston Nursing Home, McArthur Lumber and Post, Twin Maples Nursing Home,  Village of McArthur and Crownover Lumber. The largest of these employers in 2011 employed 246 while the smallest employed 26. With a large area of Forest and State Parks, recreation and tourism are also providers of income.

Per the Ohio Department of Health 2023 Vinton County Cancer Profile:  The cancer incident rate for the county from 2016 to 2020 was 502 per 100,000 population. The Ohio rate was  465.3 per 100,000 and the National rate was   438.7 per 100,000.  This places Vinton with a higher rate than the rest of the state and Ohio with a rate higher than the rest of the nation.

The 2016-2020 cancer mortality rate in Vinton County was 217.2 per 100,000 population, compared with the Ohio rate of 166.1 per 100,000 and the U.S. rate of 149.4 per 100,000.  Again Vinton is higher in deaths from cancer than the rest of the state and the state higher then the nation.

 In 2017 Randy Yates, Barb Prater and Kim McManis got together and started discussing what they believed was a higher cancer rate in Vinton County, Ohio. They prepared a survey and asked residents to complete it. After receiving 235 responses the group reached out to the Ohio University Office of Research for help in redesigning their questionnaire and moving the study forward. They teamed with Dr. Melissa Thomas, of Ohio University, who became the primary investigator. Members of the Vinton County Cancer Research group underwent training to become certified researchers through the Collaborative Institutive Training Initiative program. Three leading organizers of the group were Randy Yates, Kim McManis and Barb Prater, though the team has many other volunteers and supporters. Finding a cancer cluster is rare, the study offered the community resources and tools to further understand the disease. After receiving the study results the group started discussing ways they impact residents of Vinton County who have cancer. The group grew in size and continues to add new members. The group decided to raise money through fundraisers and grants. The money would then be used to provide gas cards for those who are undergoing cancer treatment. What started out as a small way to help has grown into something much larger. Food cards are also given out now. This is meant to be a way to help with the shock of being diagnosed and suddenly having to face possibly months or years of illness and treatment. Cards are given out regardless of income. Recipients only have to show they have appointments related to cancer and are Vinton County residents. All the monies raised by the group go to Vinton County residents and stay local. The group felt that there are many larger organizations that raise funds but they have very little direct impact locally. The group wanted to do something to directly help our local residents.

Stay up-to-date with the latest news and events from our organization. Follow us on social media on Facebook at Vinton County Cancer Research by clicking the tab below.. Have a question? Have a recommendation for one of our roundtables? 

Email us at  vccrgoup@gmail.com

Check out what is going on at the Vinton County Health Department. A lot of useful information including smoking cessation.

 VCCRG is not affiliated with any medical provider or facility. Our goal is to provide Vinton County Cancer patients with as much information as possible about care that is available in our area.

Monies raised by these events are used to provide gas and food cards to Vinton County residents undergoing cancer treatment. All Vinton County residents are eligible, regardless of income.

We meet on the second Monday of the Month at 6:30PM. New attendees are welcome! Meetings are held at the McArthur Fire Department 303 West High St. McArthur, Ohio

Round Tables are usually held quarterly. Guest speakers are invited to share information on the different aspects of the disease and treatments. Attendees are encouraged to participate but are welcome to just sit and listen.