2008 Woodie Awards
Pink ribbons promote cancer awareness
Kristen Alldredge
Issue date: 10/7/04 Section: Health
- Page 1 of 1
Pink ribbon lapel pins are visible reminders of breast cancer awareness, and they are worn throughout October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to honor survivors, remember those lost to the disease, and to support the search for a cure.
Breast cancer afflicts about 200,000 people a year and the disease takes more than 40,000 lives, painfully affecting not only the cancer patients but their loved ones. The Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign, now in its 20th year, has helped increase the number of mammograms, improve treatments, and save lives.
This year, mammogram percentages have dropped. Many women are not getting scans as often as they used to. Since mammograms are considered unsuitable for women in their 20s and 30s, it is recommended they conduct monthly self-examinations and receive a clinical breast examination (CBE) by a health expert every three years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam every year.
Fundraisers for cancer research are held across the nation to raise awareness, foster camaraderie, and raise funds for research, patient services, education and advocacy. Making Strides is a non-competitive walk which began in 1993. Since then, nearly two million walkers have raised more than $100 million through Making Strides.
Relay for Life, another American Cancer Society program, was held on campus last April. The event originated in Tacoma, Wash. when Dr. Gordy Klatt walked 83 miles around a track in 1985. After raising $27,000 for the American Cancer Society, he was joined by 220 supporters the following year, creating Relay for Life. The overnight event was designed to honor survivors and raise money for research and programs. During the event here at Marist, teams of people took turns walking or running laps and raised $26,000.
For more information on Breast Cancer, links to assist you as a member of a patient's support group, or to see what you can do to advance research and awareness on a local level visit the American Cancer Society's Web site at www.cancer.org.
Breast cancer afflicts about 200,000 people a year and the disease takes more than 40,000 lives, painfully affecting not only the cancer patients but their loved ones. The Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign, now in its 20th year, has helped increase the number of mammograms, improve treatments, and save lives.
This year, mammogram percentages have dropped. Many women are not getting scans as often as they used to. Since mammograms are considered unsuitable for women in their 20s and 30s, it is recommended they conduct monthly self-examinations and receive a clinical breast examination (CBE) by a health expert every three years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam every year.
Fundraisers for cancer research are held across the nation to raise awareness, foster camaraderie, and raise funds for research, patient services, education and advocacy. Making Strides is a non-competitive walk which began in 1993. Since then, nearly two million walkers have raised more than $100 million through Making Strides.
Relay for Life, another American Cancer Society program, was held on campus last April. The event originated in Tacoma, Wash. when Dr. Gordy Klatt walked 83 miles around a track in 1985. After raising $27,000 for the American Cancer Society, he was joined by 220 supporters the following year, creating Relay for Life. The overnight event was designed to honor survivors and raise money for research and programs. During the event here at Marist, teams of people took turns walking or running laps and raised $26,000.
For more information on Breast Cancer, links to assist you as a member of a patient's support group, or to see what you can do to advance research and awareness on a local level visit the American Cancer Society's Web site at www.cancer.org.