"A Day for You"

The first Y-ME Illinois Mammogram Blitz was on March 13^th at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago! This new programs helps to remove the logistical and financial barrier women face when trying to get their yearly mammogram and clinical breast exam. 

Y-ME Illinois assists in transporting women to the hospital, also offering breast health education.  All women involved in the Mammogram Blitz are enrolled in the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP).

This program is an extension of "A Day for You", where we aim to provide women with a clinical breast exam, a mammogram and education on breast self exams. We have added one important element to this program; providing transportation for the participating women. We expanded this program to help women who have difficulty getting to a clinic or hospital for their annual mammogram.  Our hope is that by going into the community and identifying these women, transporting them back and forth from the hospital, following up with them after they receive their results and educating them about breast health and breast self exam, we will assist more women in getting their annual mammogram.

A Spanish Speaking support group will start at St. Anthony Hospital, on April 10^th! If you are interested in learning more about this new support group, please call Judy Guitelman at 312-364-9071x13.

Y-ME Illinois will be hosting four town hall meetings in May throughout the Chicago area. A Town Hall will be held on the North, West, South side as well as downtown. Come join us and see what is going on with our new programs and services and meet the newest members of our staff! Locations and more information to come!

Town Hall dates:

May 13th: 6-8pm

Location: Indian Trails Public Library, Wheeling, IL 60090

May 15^th:

Location: TBD

May 17^th:

Location: Y-ME Illinois, 300 W. Adams Suite 430

May 19^th:

Location: TBD

Y-ME Illinois is excited to introduce Patty Jacobs as our newest staff member.  Patty joins us as the Teen Volunteer Program Coordinator. She has years of experience with our Just for Teens Program, both as a presenter and as the trainer for new presenters. Patty will be working on scheduling schools, keeping in touch with the presenters and continuing to train new volunteers. With the addition of Patty to our team, Y-ME Illinois is looking forward to making our Just for Teens Program stronger than ever! Contact Patty at pjacobs@y-me.org.

Welcome Patty!

Polish Outreach Success!

Also Y-ME Illinois, in conjunction with Copernicus Foundation, is planning a Cancer Awareness Seminar for the Polish Community on June 21^st and 22^nd. This two day event will feature lectures by recognized medical professionals in the Polish American medical community, our traveling Wig and Prosthesis Salon and other cancer awareness groups including IBCCP, which will sign up uninsured women for free mammograms.  More information about this ground-breaking educational event to come!

This has been a busy month for Judy Guitelman, Program Coordinator of the Latino Community! On March 11^th, MacNeal Hospital hosted a Latino Cancer Survivor Celebration & Remembrance event. On that day we honored survivors and remembered those who died from cancer. Thank you to Dr. Oviedo for his emotional testimonial while at this event and to Socorro Infante for bringing Mary Kay cosmetics to all the participants!

Judy also participated in an on-air interview with Telemundo on March 13th to discuss the Y-ME mission and breast cancer awareness. We got a great response from the interview, getting more calls than ever on how women can receive a free or low-cost mammogram. Busy March continued with Univisión coming to Y-ME Illinois, filming the office, salon and our staff! Judy confidently participated in an in-depth interview about Y-ME Illinois and breast cancer awareness in the Latino community. The footage aired this past week-way to go Judy!

DID YOU KNOW?? On March 19th we offered our first 2-hour training session at our office for Spanish speaking volunteers. Eight women participated at this event. If you want to become a volunteer call Kim Peterson, or Judy Guitelman at 312-364-9071.

Muchas Gracias!!! Thank you to Teté Angles, Estela Lomelí, Rosa Melgoza, Consuelo Garcia for their assistance at all of these events!

Are you ready to Run Pink? The snow has melted, the birds are chirping and spring is in the air. That can only mean one thing- the start of the 2008 running season! Come join the movement! To learn more:

Informational meeting:

Argo Tea

2485 N. Clark Street

April 12, 2008

11:00 a.m.

When you become a member of the Pink Streak team, you get to take advantage of all the fun activities and goodies our great sponsors provide; fun runs with the LUNA Chicks, workshops with Cardinal Fitness and The Runner’s Edge as well as a rockin’ kick-off party at the Hard Rock Café! Don’t miss out on the action- sign up today! Are you attending CARA’ Foot of the Ball event this Friday? If so, stop by the Y-ME Illinois table and inquire about running pink!

Contact Kate Lacio at: klacio@y-me.org with questions!

Decisions are made everyday that affect breast cancer patients and their families. You can get involved and advocate for policies and procedures that promote better choice, care, access and support. Click here to join the IlliNOISY grassroots advocacy network!

If you are looking to get more involved, join us in Washington DC at the end of April for the 2008 NBCC Annual Advocacy Training Conference! You will also go onto Capitol Hill and encourage your elected official to support legislation that aims to eradicate breast cancer. The deadline for online registration is April 12^th, but not to worry-you can still register on-site.

If you are interested in attending the conference, contact Rachel at rrunnals@y-me.org or call (312) 364-9071x14 to learn more. We would love to have you join us!

The Gerry Weinberg Resource library is filled with hundreds of books-just for you! We can help guide you through the library, finding the book or DVD that is right for you.

Written by a journalist who supported his wife through the disease, Breast Cancer Husband covers topics from diagnoses and treatment, intimacy, the role of the caregiver and gives advice to men on how to support their partner during this time. The book is easy to follow, covers the questions and concerns husbands really have and aims to help men understand what their partner is going though and how to best help her while battling breast cancer.

• "One of the few breast cancer books to speak directly to the husband as he partners with his wife on this unwelcomed journey."
• "A supercharged survival guide for men and women confronting any life-threatening illness. Well-informed and practical. Silver covers the controversies and conflicts that arise under fire and guides you with love, support and inspiration."

To borrow this or any other book for the Y-ME Illinois Library, call Sherray at (312) 364-9071.