Blagojevich administration launches Women's Health Week in Illinois with Pin-A-Sister event on Mother's Day

'Pink Potlucks' and pink ribbons highlight the importance of breast and cervical cancer screenings and early detection

[May 13, 2008]  CHICAGO -- Calling attention to the importance of screening and early detection for breast and cervical cancer, Deputy Gov. Louanner Peters kicked off Women's Health Week at a Pin-A-Sister event on Mother's Day at Fellowship Baptist Church in Chicago.

Thousands of women whose lives have been touched by breast cancer wore pink ribbons Sunday during Pin-A-Sister events to signify support for early detection methods and the battle to cure this disease.

Blagojevich administration officials are also calling on women to host "Pink Potlucks" to discuss the importance of early detection of breast and cervical cancer and let women know that the governor recently expanded the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, making Illinois the first and only state to offer free breast and cervical cancer screening and low-cost treatment to all uninsured women in Illinois.

[Text from file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]