Program and Outreach Updates!

Cancer Awareness Seminar for Polish Community a Huge Success!

On June 21 and 22, Breast Cancer Network of Strength Illinois, with the help of the Cooperation of Copernicus Foundation, organized its first event aimed at the Polish community in Chicagoland. For two days, women were invited to lectures presented by medical professionals on topics ranging from how to deal with cancer, physical effects of the illness and treatment options. Network of Strength was present with the mobile salon and fit 27 women and registered over 200 women for free cancer screenings under the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program. More than 350 women attended the event! Thank you to all who helped make this a great event.

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Network of Strength Receives Arab Cultural Awareness Training

This month the Arab American Family Services agency provided the staff with cultural awareness training. Suna Abed, supervisor of case management, gave the staff a very informative and interactive training regarding customs and traditions of the Arab community. This training will especially improve our ability to assist Arab women who come to the salon. We hope to collaborate with them to create support groups and a new mobile salon sight!

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Network of Strength Reaches out to the Korean Community

On June 26, the program staff met with So Young Kim, health programs supervisor at Korean American Community Services, to discuss partnership opportunities for the Korean-American community. Korean American Community Services is interested in offering a support group at their facility on N. California and how we can provide opportunities for outreach services.

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Mobile Salon is Coming to Your Neighborhood

Our Mobile Salon is traveling around Chicago and will stop at local hospitals in July and August! On July 16, the salon will be present at Our Lady of Resurrection Hospital on Central and Addison. On July 25, the salon will come to Trinity Hospital at 2320 E. 93rd St.

Because our visit at Mercy on June 6 was such a success, fifteen women were fitted, we have planned a third visit for August 15. To register for this program call Alma Sotelo at Mercy Hospital at (312) 567-5472.

Thank You Sammie, Rosa, Tete, Joyce, Socorro and Marie for the great work!!!

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Springfield Wig and Prosthesis Salon

Breast Cancer Network of Strength has created a second mobile sight for the Wig and Prosthesis Salon at St. John’s Cancer Center in Springfield, on the second Thursday of each month from 8:30-10:30 am or on the fourth Thursday of the month from 1:30-3:30 pm. We continue to staff our Wig and Prosthesis Salon at SIU Cancer Institute every Wednesday and Friday from 9:00-4:00. To make an appointment or for more information, please call (217) 545-7424.

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Spanish Speaking Support Groups

We are working with Mount Sinai Hospital and Rush Copley in Aurora to open Spanish-speaking support groups at their facilities. Saint Anthony Hospital will not have sessions during the months of June and July.

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Planned Giving 

As a result of donor requests and ongoing funding needs, Breast Cancer Network of Strength Illinois is establishing a planned giving program. Making a Planned Gift can be a simple and painless way to support an organization. By including Network of Strength Illinois in your estate planning, you help to ensure that our programs in Illinois continue to thrive and grow. Your gift will continue to help others in Illinois who cannot wait for tomorrow’s cure!

Frequently, all that is needed to specify a Bequest is a few sentences in your will. Network of Strength Illinois suggests discussing any Planned Gift with your attorney or financial advisor prior to creating or changing your will.

Individuals who include Breast Cancer Network of Strength Illinois in their estate planning will become members of The Evermore Society. If you include us in your will, or have already done so, please contact Sara Cohen, Director of Development, at 312-364-9071, ext. 20 to let her know of your plans. This will allow us to best plan for future needs and to recognize you for your generosity.

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Get Involved!

Pink Streak is on the Run!

The Pink Streak Marathon Team is in full swing training for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon! We have 125 runners who are each raising a minimum of $850 to ensure that no one faces breast cancer alone. If you are already signed up for the race, but want to make your experience more meaningful, you can still join our team!

Please contact Kate Lacio at klacio@networkofstrength.org to join the team!

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