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“Early detection is one of the most powerful weapons we have against
this disease,” said Mrs. Blagojevich. “It
is an honor to be in the company of so many remarkable women,
who have battled against breast cancer and
won. I encourage all women to get screened early and often as it
could mean the difference between
life and death.”
The First Lady’s participation in the Y-Me
Fashion show builds on her ongoing efforts to raise awareness about
breast cancer. Earlier in October the First Lady kicked off
Breast Cancer Awareness month by encouraging African-American women
and members of their churches to host “Pink Potlucks,” a social
event that promotes women’s health awareness. In addition, Mrs.
Blagojevich announced $700,000 in Penny Severns Breast, Cervical
and Ovarian Cancer Research Grants and
presented the People Are Today’s Heroes (PATH) Award on behalf of
the Governor to Dr. Olufunmilayo I. Olopade of the University of
Chicago for her dedication to breast cancer research.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer among
women 20 years of age and older in the United States. Women
diagnosed with breast cancer, on average, have an 88% survival rate
for the first 5 years. When breast cancer is diagnosed early, this
5-year survival rate increases to 98%. An
October 2005 study by the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance
Modeling
Network Collaborators estimated that
breast cancer screening reduced the rate of death from breast cancer
by up to 23 percent, and found that treatment is likely to be more
effective if cancer is detected at an earlier stage.
It is estimated that approximately 1,700 women will die of
breast cancer in Illinois this year.
This year, Y-ME Illinois will provide assistance to more than
10,000 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients in Illinois. The Y-ME
Illinois Fashion Show and Luncheon raises more than $250,000
annually to support breast cancer patients throughout Illinois.
This year’s event, titled, “Everyone is a Star,” paid tribute
to all women breast cancer survivors. Mrs. Blagojevich also
participated in the 2004 Fashion Show and Luncheon, “Y-ME Opens
Doors.” 2005 marks the silver anniversary of this annual event.
“The Fashion Show & Luncheon is
incredibly powerful, offering attendees a great opportunity to honor
those who have battled breast cancer. Almost half of the fashion
show models are breast cancer survivors from Illinois,” said Ruth
Brody, executive director of Y-ME Illinois. “The remaining models
are comprised of family and friends of breast cancer survivors,
volunteers, medical representatives, local media and other
supporters of Y-ME Illinois. It’s truly inspirational to see so many
individuals committed to our cause united together.”
In October Mrs. Blagojevich and the Salem
Baptist Church worked together to launch the “Pink Potluck”
campaign. The First Lady’s “Pink Potluck” campaign built
upon the Governor’s efforts to address the minority community. Mrs.
Blagojevich encouraged other First Ladies of African American
churches to participate in the “Pink Potluck” campaign to bring
their congregations together to discuss the health concerns,
experiences and information related to women’s health. The potluck
also encourages women to keep their health in check by talking with
their doctors about risk factors and preventative practices. Mrs.
Blagojevich announced that if a group of 100 women or more
participates in a “Pink Potluck,” they may request the presence of
the state’s “Wellness on Wheels” van to provide health screenings
and information to the women attending the event. The Illinois
Department of Public Health administers the wellness van, which
travels throughout the state to provide a variety of health
screenings, including mammograms and cervical cancer screening to
underserved areas.
Governor Blagojevich has made significant
contributions to promote and improve women’s health including:
·
Stand Against Cancer
Program: In 2003, Gov.
Blagojevich funded the Stand Against Cancer Initiative (SAC), a
community outreach and screening program targeting the hardest
to reach minority women. It is conducted by a coalition of
neighborhood organizations, churches and Federally Qualified
Health Centers. In fiscal year 2005, SAC provided 7,500
screenings and reached more than 13,000 other women through
educational programs and outreach.
·
Increased funding for
women’s health: Since taking
office, Gov. Blagojevich has proven women’s health is a priority by
increasing funding every year. In fiscal year 2006, he has included
$4 million in state funding to support breast and cervical cancer
screening and education.
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·
Investment in screening
and education programs: In FY
05, the total amount of funds supporting breast and cervical cancer
programs was $11.45 million including $6.15 million in state
dollars. Over the last two years, investments toward breast
and cervical cancer screening and education programs in Illinois
totals more than $21 million. Gov. Blagojevich also passed
legislation in December creating a 12-member Cervical Cancer
Elimination Task Force to help educate the public about cervical
cancer and develop a statewide comprehensive prevention and control
plan.
·
Signed women’s health
legislation into law: This
summer, Gov. Blagojevich signed several pieces of legislation
effecting women’s health in Illinois. The “Ticket for a Cure” is a
new lottery game to raise money for breast cancer research.
Senate Bill 12 requires insurance companies to cover screening
for breast cancer earlier in a woman’s life if her doctor considers
her to be at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. House
Bill 3564 expanded the Penny Severns Breast and Cervical Cancer
Research Fund to include ovarian cancer research. Senate Bill 521
requires insurers to provide coverage for ovarian cancer screening
tests for women who are at risk.
·
Breast and Cervical
Cancer Funding: Provided
funding to screen additional women for breast and cervical cancer.
Nearly 39,000 women in two years, 44 percent of whom are minorities,
received free screenings through the Illinois Breast and Cervical
Cancer Program (IBCCP).
·
WISEWOMAN:
Piloted the WISEWOMAN cardiovascular research project in DuPage
County. The project is targeted toward women in the Breast and
Cervical Cancer Program and helps them reduce heart disease by
leading healthier lifestyles. It is now expanding to 19 counties.
·
Women’s Health Education:
Provided funding and support for community-based information and
education programs. In fiscal year 2006, Women’s Health Initiative
grants totaling $1.6 million in state funding were awarded to 77
local health departments and other non-profit organizations to fund
educational programs focusing on cardiovascular disease,
osteoporosis, menopause and eating disorders.
·
Women’s Health-Line:
Increased access to services through Women’s Health-Line and other
informational resources. In FY05, the state-funded toll-free
Women’s Health-Line responded to more than 2,000 requests, referring
women to services and providing nearly 600,000 free educational
materials to women and community providers. These materials are also
available through the department’s website.
·
Illinois Healthy Women
program: The Healthy Women
program has helped women across the state stay healthy by providing
comprehensive reproductive health care coverage, including annual
physicals, pap smears, mammograms, screening and treatment for
sexually transmitted diseases and contraceptives.
For more information on women’s health and
programs visit
www.idph.state.il.us or call
the Women’s Health-Line at 888-522-1282 or for TTY (hearing impaired
use only), 800-547-0466.
You may also call the health-line to
inquire about the availability of the wellness vans for Pink Potluck
events.
[News release]
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