Pitching In To Make It a Little Better

Call me a glass-half-full-kinda-girl, but it pains me to say that the last few months in the breast cancer community have not been the greatest in terms of advancement for the cause, notably for underinsured and underserved women.

In November, the newly issued Federal Guidelines were published which called to eliminate the teaching of Self Breast-Exams and raise the age for mammograms to 50 years and older. Then in December, California made devastating cuts to the Every Women Counts program, placing a six-month moratorium on all mammograms and raising the age to 50 and older. Needless to say, it feels like the last few months have been a blow to the years of work countless activists have put in to ensure that any one woman who dies from breast cancer is one too many.

I don't have the magic solution to any of the many problems that face our country and state right now. In fact, I find myself lying in bed wondering how the women of Haiti who have breast cancer are dealing with the havoc of the earthquake and treating their health. I realize the country was in an impoverished state to begin with before the quake. Haiti being front and center now shows us that still, in 2010, in certain parts of the world, and in parts of California and Fresno County, hearing the words "you have breast cancer" is a death sentence.

Unless you have the "right" insurance willing to approve the necessary life-saving measures to combat the cancer invading your body, you are dealt a losing hand. It is a dire situation here in California with the joblessness and the number of people losing their homes during these times. However, I truly believe that the voices for young women dealing with breast cancer must be spoken to any one who will listen, including young people and our elected officials. Young people should learn that a simple self breast-exam CAN save their life. And our elected officials need to know that one life lost is one too many.

For young survivors, there is an invaluable conference next month in Atlanta hosted by Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Young Survival Coalition and Living Beyond Breast Cancer. Travel grants are available at www.youngsurvivorsconference.org. I was fortunate enough to attend last year and it was phenomenal!

As for what is on my plate, I will be traveling to Sacramento next month and DC in April to lobby for re-instituting the Every Women Counts Program in California and garnering support for the EARLY Act to educate young women about their breast cancer risks.

As for you, pitch me any ideas you may have about raising awareness or funds to help find a cure for breast cancer ... I love hearing about all your efforts to raise awareness!

With Hope and Prayer,

Jamie