Ellen Scharaga, a professional in the field of pharmacology, currently lives in Melville, NY. When she is not working as an operational consultant for Alegria Specialty Pharmacy, Ellen Scharaga supports charities and medical research organizations such as the American Cancer Society.
The American Cancer Society recently held the 2014 Great American Smokeout, an annual event celebrated all over the United States. The growing holiday was developed by the American Cancer Society not simply as a event to increase awareness about the seriously harmful effects of smoking, but as a specific day on which smokers can draw up and execute a realistic plan for dropping the habit. The 2014 edition of the Great American Smokeout continued to build on the positive impact of past events. Research has shown that between 2005 and 2012 the number of American smokers decreased from more than one-fifth of the nation’s population to slightly above 18 percent.
The American Cancer Society, as always, continues to strive for more. The Great American Smokeout also gave the organization the opportunity to point out the lack of funding New York State has directed toward anti-smoking campaigns. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has targeted a $200 million budget for the state for these campaigns, which is more than four times the state’s current budget of just $40 million.
Ellen Scharaga 