Vinton County Cancer Research Group
VCCRG

Vinton County Cancer Research Group VCCRG Vinton County Cancer Research Group VCCRG Vinton County Cancer Research Group VCCRG

Vinton County Cancer Research Group
VCCRG

Vinton County Cancer Research Group VCCRG Vinton County Cancer Research Group VCCRG Vinton County Cancer Research Group VCCRG
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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

Follow Us on Facebook

Vinton County Health Department

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

Vinton County Health Department on Facebook

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.

Free Mobile Lung Scanning Coming to Vinton County

Who are the Vinton County Cancer Research Group

Gas Cards for Cancer Treatment

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.

It's Time to Start Thinking!

The date is approaching fast and we’re making preparations. Don’t miss out!

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2025 Vinton County Cancer Research Group Cancer Walk

Saturday September 13, 2025 3PM-8PM

If you would like to register a team and have not submitted your form to Ruth Graves:

 you can click the Download PDF Button below.

You can fill in the form on computer, print it and mail it to Ruth  OR

You can print the form and fill it in by hand and mail it to Ruth.

Download PDF

VCCRG Cancer Walk 2025 Sponsorship Letter

Please consider sponsoring this Special Event!

Sponsorship can be made by donating directly to our group or sponsoring one or more of the many teams involved in fund raising! As always we THANK YOU ! for your support!

Download PDF

What We Do: EVENTS

Cancer Walk

Cancer Walk

Fishing Tournament

Vendor Fair

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.

Upcoming Events

8/11/2025

Monthly Meeting

6:30PM

-

Whenever

McArthur Fire Department: 303 West High St. McArthur, Ohio

Event Details

8/11/2025

Monthly Meeting

All are welcome and encouraged to attend!

6:30PM

-

Whenever

McArthur Fire Department: 303 West High St. McArthur, Ohio

9/8/2025

Monthly Meeting

6:30PM

-

Whenever

McArthur Fire Department: 303 West High St. McArthur, Ohio

Event Details

9/8/2025

Monthly Meeting

All are welcome and encouraged to attend!

6:30PM

-

Whenever

McArthur Fire Department: 303 West High St. McArthur, Ohio

9/13/2025

Cancer Walk

3PM

-

8PM

Vinton County High School: 63910 US 50 McArthur, Ohio

Event Details

9/13/2025

Cancer Walk

Cancer Walk to Support and Remember Those with Cancer

3PM

-

8PM

Vinton County High School: 63910 US 50 McArthur, Ohio

10/13/2025

Monthly Meeting

6:30PM

-

Whenever

McArthur Fire Department: 303 West High St. McArthur, Ohio

Event Details

10/13/2025

Monthly Meeting

All are welcome and encouraged to attend!

6:30PM

-

Whenever

McArthur Fire Department: 303 West High St. McArthur, Ohio

10/14/2025

Cancer Roundtable Discussion

6:30PM

-

Whenever

McArthur Fire Department: 303 West High St. McArthur, Ohio

Event Details

10/14/2025

Cancer Roundtable Discussion

All are welcome and encouraged to attend!

We will stream on Facebook Live.

Speakers to be decided.

6:30PM

-

Whenever

McArthur Fire Department: 303 West High St. McArthur, Ohio

Subscribe to be notified about our events!

We will send you an email with what is coming up in the future.

Downloads of Research and Documents

2018 VCCRG Ohio University Community Cancer Survey Preliminary Results (pdf)

Download

2019 Vinton County Community Health Assessment Report (pdf)

Download

Cancer Concerns in Vinton County Mikie Strite MPH March 31, 2017 (pdf)

Download

Vinton County Cancer Profile Ohio Department of Health 2023 (pdf)

Download

2019 VCCRG Ohio University Vinton County Ohio Community Cancer Survey Results (pdf)

Download

VCCRG Ohio University 2019 Cancer Study Questionaire (pdf)

Download

VCCRG Constitution and Bylaws (pdf)

Download

Vinton County Cancer Profile Ohio Department of Health 2017 (pdf)

Download

Vinton County Cancer Profile Ohio Department of Health 2021 (pdf)

Download

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!

What's Going on in the Community

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.  

https://www.facebook.com/VCFarmMarket

Vinton County Junior Fair

July 21-26, 2025

Vinton County Fairgrounds

https://vintoncountyjrfair.org/

https://www.facebook.com/VintonCountyJrFair

Wilkesville Volunteer Fire Department Fish Fry, Car Show

July 26, 2025 11AM-4PM

Downtown Wilkesville, OH

Fish Fry and Car Show.  The Car Show will be presented by the Jackson County Gear Grinders.  

Team YaYa’s Honey Bees Chinese Auction

August 2, 2025 11AM-6PM

Central Elementary School

507 Jefferson Ave. McArthur, OH

Team  YaYa’s Honey Bees will be hosting a Chinese auction in memory of Joye  Kaaz Bobb. All proceeds will go to the Vinton County Cancer Research  Group who gives out gas/grocery cards to Vinton County residents that  are currently getting cancer treatments.  There will be numerous raffles  along with a dessert auction. Please join us for this event and great  cause.
Doors open at 11:00AM and drawing will be held at 3:00 pm

Do not need to be present to win   

Hocking Hills Bigfoot Festival

August 7-10, 2025

Vinton County Fairgrounds

31471 St Rt 93 McArthur Ohio 45651 

BeaOutdoors Hocking Hills Bigfoot Festival in McArthur, Ohio (just  south of Logan, deep in the Hills) with 4 DAYS of 'BIG' Fun on a  'BIG'GER playground at the Vinton County Fairgrounds, August 7-10th,  2025!!   $10 Parking Pass includes EVERYTHING! 

Discounted (whole event) parking passes are available for a limited time on the website!!!  

https://beaoutdoors.org

Hamden Firefighters Association Chinese Auction

August 9, 2025 1PM-6PM

Hamden Firefighters Community Building

138 E. Railroad St.  Hamden

The Hamden Firefighters Association will host a Chinese Auction on  Saturday, Aug. 9 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Hamden Firefighters  Community Building, located at 138 E. Railroad St. in Hamden. You do not  have to be present to win. All proceeds from this event will go to  benefit the Hamden Firefighters Association. 

8th Annual Midnight at Moonville Festival

Saturday October 11

Zaleski, OH

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=midnight%20at%20moonville%20festival

Copyright © 2025 Vinton County Cancer Research Group - All Rights Reserved.

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