With October designated as "National Breast Cancer Awareness Month," Barbara A. McKinzie, international president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, urged the 200,000 members -- and all African-American women -- to be vigilant about their breast health this month.
"Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death of African-American women," declared McKinzie. "But, by being screened through mammograms, by monitoring any changes in your breasts, and by engaging in other breast-detection activities, you can prevent this disease or have it treated while it is in its early stages."
McKinzie indicated that in recognition of "National Breast Cancer Awareness Month," hospitals and other healthcare facilities often offer free or reduced-cost mammograms, and host informational forums around the disease. She urged all women to take advantage of these benefits as part of the overall effort to be attentive to their health.
She also encouraged women to support research efforts devoted to finding the cause of breast cancer. She specifically cited the Sister Study, a cancer-research entity that is dedicated to finding the causes of breast cancer among African-American women.
Adapting the ESP theme that marks her administration and against the facts about Black women being more susceptible to the disease, McKinzie urged all women to be Energized, Smart and Proactive about their breast health.
McKinzie, whose platform focuses on economics, said that breast cancer has a financial impact because of the escalating costs of healthcare, the monetary losses incurred from being out of work and the psychic consequences of not being able to contribute to her family and community because of the disease.
Proclaimed McKinzie, "When considering the tremendous downside of this disease, it is vital that you are Energized, Smart and Proactive during the month of October -- and year round!"
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is America's first Greek-letter organization founded in 1908 by, and for, African-American college women. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, it is one of the world's leading service organizations. The sorority serves all mankind through a nucleus of more than 200,000 women in over 975 chapters in the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, Germany, Korea, Japan and in the continent of Africa. The sorority celebrates its Centennial Celebration in 2008 with a birthday celebration at its founding home -- Howard University -- in January 2008; and with its Centennial Conference in July 2008 in Washington D.C. where more than 20,000 members are expected to converge to celebrate its 100-year milestone. Barbara A. McKinzie is the 27th International President and will be the leadership face during AKA's Centennial Celebration in 2008. Because her term coincides with the 100-year anniversary, she is being hailed as the "Centennial National President." McKinzie's administration is marked by the theme: ESP, which stands for Economics, Service and Partnerships. For more information, log on to www.aka1908.com
CONTACT:
Melody M. McDowell - Chief Information Officer
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
773-660-2001 - Office
312-371-8917- Cell
MelodyAKA@aol.com
This article was provided by: Black News
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