Participants and cancer survivors during the breast cancer awareness event, “Accentuating the Many Shades of Pink”.

(l-r): Brenda Martin, Karen Jones Smith, Sandy Cross, RN, and Elizabeth Sloan Ragland

(HUNTSVILLE, AL) - - Research shows that breast cancer is second only to lung cancer as a cause of death in women. In 2009, almost 240,000 women and 2,000 men will hear four the life-altering and devastating words:"YOU HAVE BREAST CANCER". Approximately 40,000 women and 450 victims will die from this equal opportunity disease.

While Caucasian women in the U.S. get breast cancer more than any other race or ethnic group, African American women are more likely to die and have the shortest survival rate from breast cancer than any other race or ethnic group, as well as all other types of cancer. African Americans only comprise 13 percent of the U.S. population, yet 67 percent of those who die from breast cancer are African American women. Something MUST be done NOW to change this family-robbing reality.

Major reasons reported for the staggering high rate of death among African American women who are plagued with breast cancer are (1) not getting annual mammograms to detect breast cancer early, (2) lack of access to medical facilities, (3) denial of or ignoring symptoms, and (4) not getting the best treatment from medical professionals.

When you believe you bury too many women prematurely, particularly African American womenwho lose the battle with breast cancer and, you have been a two time breast cancer survivor while struggling for 40 years with a form of Muscular Dystrophy - Myasthenia Gravis, you feel the personal responsibility to become active, vocal and support agents in the laudable ongoing efforts to help prevent and treat breast cancer in the Huntsville-Madison County communities. These profound personal realities prompted Mrs. Karen Jones Smith, co-owner of Royal Funeral Home and Dr. Margaret J. Kelly, Retired Professor from the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Alabama A&M University, along with Mrs. Elizabeth Sloan Ragland, Director of Telecommunications and WJAB 90.9 F.M at Alabama A&M University, to sponsor a breast cancer awareness and informational program on Thursday evening, October 29, 2009. Mrs. Brenda Martin, a current victim of breast cancer, was also on the steering committee.

The theme was" Accentuating the Many Shades of Pink". In response to research findings which report that advocates are doing an admirable job of raising awareness and distributing timely and useful information about breast cancer. However, people need to hear convincing real-life stories from survivals of and those battling with breast cancer. Therefore, the program featured video-tapes s of seven survivors of and two current battling breast cancers. Additionally, Sandy Cross, a volunteer Registered Nurse volunteer for the American Cancer Society, demonstrated how to perform breast-self exams.

Channel 78 Comcast will show the real-stories of all women beginning Saturday, November 7, 2009. For additional information call 256-851-1620.