According to the American Cancer Society (2021), one in three people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. In 2021, the American Cancer Society predicts an estimated 1,898,160 new cancer cases and 608,570 cancer deaths. This equates to 5,200 news cases and 1,670 deaths—DAILY. The CDC (2021) reports that cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States (2021). The 2021 estimates for Kentucky, which has the highest mortality rate in the United States, include 30,270 new cases and 10,090 deaths (American Cancer Society, 2021). 

The Extension Agent for Metcalfe County Family and Consumer Sciences Education partnered with the Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialists at the University of Kentucky to virtually pilot, the Kick Kentucky Cancer program series.  This FCS Agent offered the virtual program once monthly January through May 2021. The delivery was virtual through Facebook live, with the recording available for viewing for one week, after the live event.    

The programs were pre-advertised through Sumitomo of Edmonton, for virtual wellness programming, to Metcalfe County Homemakers through mailed notifications, through the W8 Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agents and via the Monroe County Cooperative Extension Service office.  Individual sessions were also publicized just prior to the offering date, through the following Facebook pages and groups: Metcalfe County Family and Consumer Sciences, Lynn A. Blankenship - professional, SOKY Home and Health, Metcalfe County Farmers Market, SOKY Food Preservation, Metcalfe County Healthy Choices for Everybody closed group, Metcalfe County Different Abilities closed group, Metcalfe County Dining with Diabetes closed group.

Session 1 offered January 7th Understanding the Basics of Cancer, Facebook: had 2 live participants and received 283 views.

Session 2 offered February 17th Managing Nutrition During Cancer, Facebook: had 2 live participants, received 31 views and 3 shares.

Session 3 offered March 4th Taking Care of Mental Health During Cancer, Facebook: had 1 live participant and 9 views.

Session 4 offered April 8th Caring for Someone with Cancer, Facebook: had 3 live participants and 39 views.

Session 5 offered May 6th Interacting with Someone with Cancer, Facebook: had 1 live participant and 14 views.

Qualtrics evaluations submitted for these sessions indicated that participants gained increased understanding and awareness of the subject matter from each lesson and that participating in the sessions, was worth their time and effort.