Most of us know someone who's been affected by cancer. Today in Charleston, Governor Mark Sanford pushed for a new healthcare initiate to tackle the disease.

"The problems with cancer is, you never know when it's going to strike," says John Anthony, a lung cancer survivor.

More than five years ago, what he thought was just a case of the flu, turned out to be much worse, "My wife being a good nurse like she is ...told me to return to the doctor in case I had pneumonia. Well, it turns out they found a spot right here on my right hand side where my lung was."

Anthony's not alone, more than 17,000 South Carolinians will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and while the state's cases are lower than than the national average, people who do get cancer here are more likely to die from it compared to the rest of the country

"Every patient that doesn't get cancer, saves money for the state of South Carolina," said Doctor Andrew Kraft, director the Hollings Cancer Research Center.

It's a center dedicated to preventative health care. And that's just what Governor Mark Sanford is pushing for in his state budget. Sanford wants more screenings, and preventive care available to the public, because, not only will it save money for taxpayers, but because South Carolinians are nearly at he bottom of overall health compared to the country.

Governor's budget also includes a million dollar grant for the Hollings Center for preventive care, but if you ask Anthony, it's not enough. Anthony was treated from lung cancer at the center, and he says it's the reason he's still here.

In addition the the Hollings Center Grant, the governor is asking for one million dollars in grants for breast and cervical cancer screenings for those who would not be able to afford them.

And as far as living a healthy life style is concerned, Sanford practices what he preaches too. He'll be back to Charleston in just a few weeks to run the Cooper River Bridge Run.