D.C Mobile Mammography Unit Marks 10th Anniversary of Helping Underserved Women

During the month of October, the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Mammovan launch to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  The mobile mammogram program helps medically underserved women in the Washington, D.C., metro area get the screening tests needed to maintain good breast health.

The CRPF-supported Mammovan has screened thousands since its launch 10 years ago.  Since 1996, nearly 22,000 women have been screened and 73 of those women have been diagnosed with breast cancer on the Mammovan – a large, mobile mammography unit that’s stocked with the most up-to-date technology.  Most of these cancers were discovered in the early stages of the disease.  Each woman diagnosed in the van receives all necessary treatment and follow-up, regardless of whether or not she has health insurance or the ability to pay for treatment.

Each month, the Mammovan provides mammograms to participants of CRPF’s ¡Celebremos la Vida! outreach program at the Spanish Catholic Center.  From 1994 to 2005, more than 1,500 mammograms were provided to uninsured Hispanic women through this partnership.

In the van, each mammogram is performed by a licensed female radiological technician from George Washington Medical Center.  The screening tests on the van take only 15 minutes.  GW radiologists specializing in mammography provide results to women within 10 working days.

Women can schedule an appointment on the van and get information about when it will be in their neighborhoods by calling 202-741-3020.  National Mammography Day this year is October 20.  Click here  for a schedule.

The Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation and Healthy South Carolina, a statewide initiative by South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford and First Lady Jenny Sanford, teamed up to help 3rd and 4th graders understand the importance of staying active while being safe in the sun.  Over the summer, these students were challenged with a poster contest called, the “Have Fun and Stay Safe in the South Carolina Sun Poster Contest,” for which they artistically portrayed how they stayed active and safe in the sun during the summer months.

The overall winner of the contest is Jasmine Judge of Warrenville Elementary School.  She and her teacher were each awarded a $50 Wal-Mart gift card, and Warrenville Elementary School was awarded a $1,000 unrestricted grant.

Regional winners of the contest around the state are: Yesenia Salcedo of Saluda River Academy from the Midlands; Lamarves Jones of Gray Court-Owings Elementary School from the Upstate; and Charles Boyd of Pate Elementary School from the Lowcountry.  Each regional winner and their teacher were awarded $50 Wal-Mart gift cards for their exemplary work.

An awards ceremony took place in Aiken, S.C., at Warrenville Elementary with the First Lady, Dr. Ann Kulze, who is a CRPF board member, and representatives from the school.

SURGEON GENERAL'S REPORT URGES SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENTS

Second-hand smoke is a serious health hazard that can lead to death and disease in nonsmokers and children, according to U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona in a report released June 27, 2006. The report, “The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke,” concludes that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.  A person exposed to secondhand smoke has a 25 to 30 percent higher risk of developing heart disease and a 20 to 30 percent higher risk of developing lung cancer.  The Surgeon General noted, "The health effects of secondhand smoke exposure are more pervasive than we previously thought." (more)

The Check Your Insides Out: from Top to Bottom exhibit will be a part of AARP's Life@50 National Event and Expo in Anaheim, Calif., from October 26 to 28.  The annual event and expo caters to people 50 and older who are interested in health and fitness, technology, travel and leisure and much more.

The exhibit will serve as an educational tool to help event attendees learn what they can do to reduce their risk for cancer by making simple lifestyle changes.  The exciting event is host to extraordinary performers including Elton John, Bill Cosby, and others!  CRPF is thrilled to be a part of this great event!


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CRPF and CRPF board member Poker Champion Phil Gordon have teamed up to raise $1 million by 2007 to support cancer prevention research and education programs.

The Bad Beat on Cancer Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament jump-started the campaign, and now the total is soaring toward its goal! One year. $1 million. Join the "I'll Raise You a Million Challenge" - for all of our healthier futures.

Phil Gordon's Little Blue Book: More Lessons and Hand Analysis in No Limit Texas Hold'em

Get the latest Phil Gordon book poker fanatics around the world are clamoring for…and save lives while you sharpen your poker skills! For a $50 donation, you'll improve your game and support the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation's research, education and community outreach programs. Now that's a deal we can all “go all in” for!

CRPF Raises More Than $150,000 at 14^th Annual Sporting Clays

With about 200 people participating, the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation raised more than $150,000 on Sept. 29 and 30 during the 14^th year of the event, a raffle and skeet shooting activity in Sudlersville, Md., that brings cancer research supporters together for an afternoon to help target breast cancer.  All proceeds will go to the Frances D. Meyer Breast Cancer Research Fund to award grants to research the disease.

One participant made the event a family affair.  Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and her husband and two sons participated as a family to raise money for the cause.

The overwhelming amount of enthusiasm shown by participants to shoot down breast cancer was uplifting for CRPF’s leadership.  For the Foundation’s president, Carolyn Aldigé, the day had special meaning.  Frances Meyer was a dear friend of hers who lost her fight against breast cancer in 2004 after battling it for seven years.

“Events like this really give us an opportunity to bring our message to the community in fun ways,” said Carolyn Aldigé.  “By raising money for research and raising awareness that many kinds of cancer are preventable, and can be successfully treated when detected early, the day was a success.”

The Congressional Families program of CRPF was thrilled to once again hold its Action for Cancer Awareness Awards Luncheon. We were excited to honor four deserving men and women who have made an important and positive impact through their cancer awareness efforts.

The 14^th Annual Congressional Families Awards were presented to Elizabeth Edwards, Joel Siegel, Wendy Chioji and Dr. Arvin S. Glicksman.

Elizabeth Edwards was presented with the Congressional Families Leadership Award by D. Chris Downey.  Mrs. Edwards learned of her breast cancer diagnosis at the climax of the 2004 presidential election as the highly visible spouse of the vice presidential nominee.  With characteristic grace, she used her experience as a platform to educate the public about the importance of regular screenings, and to raise awareness about prevention.(more)

The Check Your Insides Out – From Top to Bottom Tour is a once-in-a-lifetime journey that educates, entertains and inspires as visitors learn about the prevention, early detection and treatment of cancers from the top of the body - to the bottom. (more)

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is a collaborative effort to increase awareness that colorectal cancer is largely preventable, treatable and beatable through regular screenings, a healthy lifestyle and expert clinical care. (more)

The Cancer Prevention Program at the New York Presbyterian Hospital invites you to view the new issue of its national newsletter, Cancer Prevention. This latest issue features a discussion on aging and cancer, a topic of prime concern in light of the growing number of older Americans in the 21^st century.

CRPF has partnered with the Step Up Women’s Network and Merck & Co., Inc., on a national public education campaign, Make the Connection,  to raise awareness of cervical cancer. Please visit the web site to learn more about the campaign and the connection between cervical cancer and its cause, a common virus called human papillomavirus (HPV).