Join us in helping the residents of Vinton County fight this terrible disease!
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Some Information About Vinton County
A small county with a low population
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.
A higher cancer rate
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.
How this group came together
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.
Connect With Us
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
Vinton County Health Department
Check out what is going on at the Vinton County Health Department. A lot of useful information including smoking cessation.
VCCRG has no affiliation with any medical providers or facilities
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.
Who are the Vinton County Cancer Research Group
Vinton County Cancer Research Group
We are a non-profit 501c3 organization dedicated to supporting residents of Vinton County, Ohio who are facing the challenges of cancer treatment. Our mission is to provide resources and information to those affected by this devastating disease. Through our research efforts, we aim to contribute to the advancement of cancer treatment and improve outcomes for our local community. We provide gas and grocery cards to residents traveling for cancer treatment and appointments. For travel distance less than 30 miles we provide1- $25 gas card and 1-$25 grocery card per month for 1 appointment and 2-$25 gas cards and 1-$25 food card per month for multiple appointments. For distances greater than 31 miles we provide 1-$50 gas card and 1-$25 grocery card per month for 1 appointment and 2-$50 gas cards and 1 $25 grocery card per month for multiple appointments. For residents undergoing multiple radiation treatments we will provide an additional $25 gas card per month for appointments under 30 miles and 1-$50 gas card for appointments greater than 31 miles. The only requirements are proof of residency and appointments. No income or personal information is necessary! All monies collected stay in Vinton County!
A Gift That Keeps Growing
In 2024 VCCRG gave out $25,500 in gas and food cards to Vinton County Residents with Cancer appointments! We gave out our first gas card in June of 2021. $1500 was given out that year. This is an endeavor that continues to grow each year. This is only possible through the generous donations of our supporters and those who support our fundraisers! On average we are helping 29 people each month now. We are actively reaching out to spread the word of what we do so any Vinton County Resident with this disease knows this is available. Please help us continue this worthy cause. If you know someone in Vinton County with cancer please tell them about this benefit.
Join Us At Our 3rd Annual Cancer Walk
Awards For: 1st Place Fundraising, 2nd Place Fundraising, 1st Place Best Decorated, 2nd Place Best Decorated, Best Shirt Design.
Raffles and Food Vendors.
Luminary Ceremony at Dusk
What We Do: EVENTS
Cancer Walk
Fishing Tournament
What Happens to the money?
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.
Meetings
Monthly Meetings
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
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.
Our Last Roundtable
Great Session at our last Roundtable
Holzer Cancer Center Gallipolis, Ohio
Thank you to Shane Maliszewski, director of the Holzer Cancer Center, and Dr. Maxwell Tran, radiation oncologist from the Holzer Cancer Center, for their presentation at our roundtable last night. They both gave some valuable information. Shane talked about the Cancer Center and Hospital itself and Dr. Tran talked about radiation treatment. Shane stressed how Holzer is affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic. A doctor at Holzer can consult with the specialists at Cleveland Clinic and use their expertise to help in Cancer Treatment. It isn’t necessary for a patient to travel to Cleveland for this expertise. While some difficult surgeries may have to be done in Cleveland, most follow up treatment and care can be done at Holzer in Gallipolis. Cleveland Clinic is ranked 14th in the country in Oncology treatment. Ohio State is currently ranked lower nationally. Holzer is one of only 3 institutions affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic that aren’t owned by them. If you haven’t watched the Video of this presentation on our Facebook page, we highly recommend that you do!
Dr. Tran was very knowledgeable on radiation treatment. He told us how many cancers are treatable by radiation instead of surgery. This include some skin cancers. Radiation is targeted in small specific areas to minimize damage to non-cancerous tissue. He explained radiation damages cancer cells in the body and they can’t recover. Healthy cells may be damaged by radiation but usually heal afterwards. Radiation is painless and non-invasive. Radiations is also being used to treat some conditions other than cancer. If you haven’t watched the video of this presentation and are interested or concerned about radiation treatment, we recommend you watch the video on our Facebook page!
After attending our last 2 roundtables one thing stands out. There are many great cancer treatment options in the area. We will continue to schedule speakers to give our neighbors as much information as possible! We will also continue to stream our roundtables on Facebook Live. No-one needs to feel they are alone if they receive a cancer diagnosis!
On our page 2 of this site videos will also be available from our roundtables.
Donations
VCCRG depends entirely on money raised from fundraisers and donations.
If you are thinking of making a donation in memory of a loved one or for any reason.
Please think of us!
We promise it will be used to help someone in Vinton County!
There are many organizations to donate to that do great work. But most if not all of their funds have little local impact.
Donations can be sent to:
Vinton County Cancer Research Group
410 McArthur Ave.
McArthur, Ohio 45651
Educational
Information about Colorectal Cancer
Click the photo above for information about colorectal cancer from the James Cancer Center.
Information about Breast Cancer
Click on the image above for information about breast cancer from the James Cancer Center.
Information about Lung Cancer
Click on the image above for information about lung cancer from the James Cancer Center.
Information about Prostate Cancer
Click on the image for information about prostate cancer from the James Cancer Center.
Information about Skin Cancer
Click on the image above for information about skin cancers from the James Cancer Center.
Information about Bladder Cancer
Click on the image above for information about bladder cancer from the James Cancer Center.
Information about Non Hodgkins Lymphoma
Click on the image above for information about Non Hodgkins Lymphoma from the James Cancer Center.
Information about Thyroid Cancer
Click on the image above for information about Thyroid Cancer from the James Cancer Center.
Information about Leukemia
Click on the image above for information about Leukemia from the James Cancer Center.
Information about Pancreatic Cancer
Information about Sarcoma, a type of rare cancerous tumor that can occur almost anywhere in the body
Click on the image above for information about Pancreatic Cancer from the James Cancer Center.
Information about Sarcoma, a type of rare cancerous tumor that can occur almost anywhere in the body
Information about Sarcoma, a type of rare cancerous tumor that can occur almost anywhere in the body
Information about Sarcoma, a type of rare cancerous tumor that can occur almost anywhere in the body
Click on the image above for information about Sarcoma Cancer from the James Cancer Center.
Information about Childhood Cancer a term for cancers that develop in children between birth and 14
Information about Sarcoma, a type of rare cancerous tumor that can occur almost anywhere in the body
Information about Sarcoma, a type of rare cancerous tumor that can occur almost anywhere in the body
Click on the image above for information about Childhood Cancer from The National Cancer Institute.
Cancer Support Groups for Patients and Care Givers!
Vinton County Farmer's Market
Saturday May 3, 2025 9AM (Repeats Every Saturday until end of season)
Vinton County National Bank parking lot between the Post Office and Booth Insurance
This is not the new bank location!
McArthur Ohio 45651
With lots of discussion the farmers market has decided to set up this year in the bank parking lot between the post office and booth insurance. This is a nice location in town with parking available and steps with a handrail if needed. This will hopefully be a very successful spot for the community and the vendors alike.
Vinton County Overdose Awareness Day
Thursday September 4, 2025 5PM-7PM
Vinton County Fair Grounds
The Vinton County Post Overdose Response Team (PORT), along with the Vinton County Health Department, will be hosting a Vinton County Overdose Awareness Day on Thursday, Sept. 4. The event will be held at the Vinton County Fairgrounds from 5-7 p.m. The event will honor those in recovery and those who have lost their battle with addiction. There will be a memorial activity, food, music, and other giveaways, as well as the presence of service providers and resources.
14th Annual Vinton County Car and Motorcycle Show
Saturday September 13, 2025 9AM-3PM
Vinton County High School Parking Lot
Registration will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The cost is $10.
Music, raffles and more will be available throughout the day. A pie auction will begin at 1:30 p.m. Food, including beans and cornbread dinners, hot dogs with sauce and more will be available. No alcohol, glass bottles, bicycles or skateboards will be permitted on the premises.
Awards will be given to several categories, including: Best of Show, Best Ford, Best Chevy, Best Mopar, Best GM, Best Pickup, Best Street (Overall, Car, Rod or Machine), Best Import, People’s Choice, Most Unique (rat rods, vintage business, special interest, etc.), Top 20 Pre 1985, Top 10 1985 and Newer and Motorcycle People’s Choice.
Proceeds from this event will benefit the Vinton County Track and Field program. Awards will be presented at 3 p.m. For registration information, contact 740-591-0375.
Vinton County Air Show
Sunday September 21, 2025 1PM
Vinton County Airport
The show is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 21 at Vinton County Airport, six miles north of McArthur off State Route 93 on Airport Road. The show kicks off at 1 p.m. with the Vinton County High School Marching Band, Sky Divers and piston-pounding General Aviation Acrobatic aircraft smoking up the sky on Pumpkin Ridge. There will also be some of the fastest radio-controlled aircraft flying down the runway.
Chicken BBQ roasted on an open pit, prepared by the McArthur Eagles, will be the main course. The Eagles also sponsor the Candy Drop for the children. Santa Claus will skydive in to greet kids before the drop.
The show is free and the Boosters ask for a $10 parking donation. All proceeds from the show help keep the Airport open. Please note that Airport Road will close at 12:30 for the show. You may access the parking area by using State Route 328 to Airport Road East.
Benefit for James Ousley
Saturday September 27, 2025 12PM
Vinton County Fairgrounds
James has dedicated his life to hard work and service as a farmer, electrician, and most importantly, a devoted father of four and proud grandfather of five. In April of this year, he was forced to leave work due to his diagnosis. On May 1st, James underwent major surgery to remove a tumor in the presacral area, followed by extensive reconstructive procedures. Sadly, further tumors have since been discovered.
James is scheduled to begin Proton Therapy (radiation) at The Ohio State University on July 21, 2025. Treatment will require daily sessions, five days a week, for seven weeks. Although lodging is graciously covered by OSU, travel, meals, and additional medical expenses continue to add up, all while James is unable to work. All proceeds from this benefit will go directly toward James’s medical bills, travel expenses, and lost income. Your generosity, whether through donation, sponsorship, or simply spreading the word, will make a tangible difference in James’s journey.
8th Annual Midnight at Moonville Festival
Saturday October 11
Zaleski, OH
https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=midnight%20at%20moonville%20festival