In Our Community...

*Black Men Have Better Outcomes With Immunotherapy Treatments For Prostate Cancer*

Certain studies show greater prostate cancer survival benefits with immunotherapies for Black men compared to White men. A new Northwestern Medicine study has discovered what appears to be the reason. The findings, published in Nature Communications could lead to immune-based precision medicine treatment for men of all races.

In this study, scientists showed tumors from men of African ancestry have an increased proportion of a special immune cell compared to the tumors of white men. A research team led by Edward Schaeffer, MD, PhD, Chair of the Department of Urology at Northwestern University, identified these cells as potential drivers of prostate cancer immune-responsiveness.

This study supports the findings of a registry of men who were treated with PROVENGE (Sipuleucel-T), the first FDA approved prostate cancer immunotherapy treatment. The PROCEED registry study showed that Black men had significantly better survival benefits than white men.

*VFW POST 3181 Florence, S.C.*

The Ranch House band is coming back for ypur entertainment!! We are super excited to have them back!! April 24 and 25th!! Come on out and show these guys some love and be ready to boogey!!

*Georgetown County Leads State In COVID-19 Vaccination Rate Of Residents*

Georgetown County now leads South Carolina in its rate of COVID-19 vaccination of eligible residents.

More than 50 percent of eligible Georgetown County residents -- 26,784 of 52,625 -- have received at least one dose of the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine, making the county No. 1 in the state, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Horry County ranks fourth, with 133,359 of 281,915 residents ages 15 and older having received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Both counties have hovered in the top four statewide for more than a month.

“Our region is leading the state in getting residents vaccinated safely and efficiently, and that’s good news for all of us,” said Gayle Resetar, chief operating officer of Tidelands Health. “The more people we can get vaccinated, the quicker we can all return to the activities we love to do.”

To date, Tidelands Health has administered more than 65,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at three regional vaccination sites in Georgetown, Murrells Inlet and Myrtle Beach. The not-for-profit health system also has partnered with groups such as the Georgetown NAACP to help facilitate appointments for community members who face barriers such as limited or no Internet access or limited phone availability.

*FSD3 Announces Principal Changes At 2 Schools*

Two Florence School District 3 schools will have different principals beginning with the 2021-2022 school year.

Thomas “TJ” DeVine has been named principal at J. C. Lynch Elementary School for the 2021-2022 school year, while Jonte’ Barr Singletary has been named principal of Lake City Early Childhood Center.

*FCSD3 Launches Anti-Bullying, Safety Communications Tool*

DeVine has served as principal of Lake City Early Childhood Center since the 2019-2020 school year.

In an effort to increase the safety of its students, Florence County School District Three has partnered with School Messenger to add a new anti-bullying and safety communications tool called QuickTip.

Quick Tip provides a simple tip line allowing students and members of the community to communicate with the district or school about pressing issues in a truly anonymous way.

Watch the February 17, 2021 episode: TableTalk: P-EBT, Attendance, and Return to Traditional 5-day Instruction

*P-EBT, Attendance and Return To Traditional 5 day Instruction*

TableTalk is a weekly communication initiative by Marion County School District giving Superintendent Bethea an opportunity to provide district updates and/or highlight programs.

The goal is to provide talks, togetherness, and transparency for our families and community.

If you would like to see a specific topic covered, email us at TableTalk@marion.k12.sc.us.