---

The First Annual Y-ME Walk in Springfield, IL is Almost Here!

The first Annual Y-ME Walk will take place this Sunday, June 3, 2007 in Springfield, IL. The Y-ME Walk is an exciting way to raise funds and awareness to help ensure that no one faces breast cancer alone. Y-ME Illinois prides itself on developing close ties to the community it serves. The Walk is a celebration of this spirit! 

We hope you will join us and take steps to ensure that no one faces breast cancer alone. Our success depends on you!! Take the first step with us today and register! By doing this you will have the unique opportunity to be a part of a historical Springfield fundraising event. With your enthusiasm and support we are confident that we will not only achieve but exceed all expectations. 

Sunday, June 3, 2007
Lost Bridge Trail, 2300 South Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, IL
1, 3 or 5 mile walk

7:30 AM -- Registration Opens
9:00 AM -- The First Annual Walk Begins!!
10:00-Noon -- Y-ME Walk Celebration

It's not too late to register!  There are three ways to register; online, the day of the walk or by coming to one of our pre-registration sites listed here:

Friday, June 1^st 3-6:30pm OR Saturday, June 2^nd 9am-12pm

Coldwell Banker Devonshire Realty

3201 Old Jacksonville Rd.

Springfield, IL 

Click here to register online!

---

Save the Date!

 

Save the Date for Y-ME Illinois' Fall Fundraiser ~ Friday, October 19^th, 2007 at Union Station's Great Hall!  More details to come soon!  This event will replace the Fashion Show and Luncheon that was scheduled for October 27^th, 2007. 

---

Associate Board News

 

The Associate Board's Team Code Pink raised over $3200 during Y-ME's Race to Empower on Mother's Day. Thanks to everyone who participated or donated to this amazing event!

Our second annual Streak Chicago Pink event will be held in September to honor the 2007 Pink Streak marathon runners and raise funds for Y-ME Illinois. If you are interested in becoming involved with the planning of this event, please contact Kristin Kuehn at kristin.e.kuehn@accenture.com.

The mission of the Y-ME Illinois Associate Board is to impact the fight against breast cancer through volunteering, increasing awareness and raising funds to support the programs and services of the Illinois Affiliate of Y-ME. If you are interested in learning more about the Associate Board, please contact Natalie Long at nslong1@yahoo.com.

---

Just for Teens Program Wrap Up

 

The Just for Teens Program is wrapping up its 2006-2007 school year, and once again, it successfully reached thousands of high school girls with the important message of early detection!  This year, the Just for Teens reached 6,398 girls in 54 high schools--that's an increase of 18% more girls than last year's program!*  Many thanks to our presenters who went above and beyond the call of duty: Nancy Amicangelo, Denise Carney, Lynn Cowen, Tina Donahue, Kay Ertmanis, Julie Fabrizius, Patti Gibbons, Molly Hague, Patty Jacobs, Sue Lapetina, Sandy Lieberman, Audrey Mandell, Gail Mangurten, Carolyn Meneely, Sheila Newman, Lynn Olson, Diane Roth, Pat Walter, Jane Williams, and Jerilyn Willin!

The Just for Teens Program is also looking for survivors who want to share their experiences and teach their community more about Y-ME Illinois.  Ideal volunteers are:

• At least one year out of treatment
• Comfortable answering questions about their experience with breast cancer
• Available to visit at least 5 schools per year

For more information, please contact Phoebe Harlan: pharlan@y-me.org or 312.364.9071.

*data as of 5/30/2007

---

Honoring Support Group Facilitator: Awareness Garden Dedication At University of Chicago In Honor of Joslyn McGhee

On Monday, May 14, Y-ME and Soft & Dri planted an Awareness Garden at the University of Chicago to honor Joslyn McGhee.  Joslyn was the facilitator for the "Partners in Surviving" support group for more than a decade and was a loved and respected leader.  Despite her own battle with breast cancer, Joslyn provided guidance and support to many breast cancer patients and survivors.  With the Awareness Garden, Y-ME and Soft & Dri will ensure that Joslyn's legacy and memory will live on, inspiring the members of "Partners in Surviving" to continue supporting one another.  Partners in Surviving meets at the University of Chicago, on the 3rd Saturday of the month, at 10:30 a.m. 

For information about this or any other support groups offered through Y-ME Illinois, contact Phoebe Harlan: pharlan@y-me.org or 312-364-9071.

---

Clinical Breast Exam Legislation in Illinois

 

On May 22, 2007, the Illinois legislature passed a measure for clinical breast exams to be covered under private and state insurance plans.  The bill passed in the House 115-0, and 52-0 in the Senate, heading to the Governor's desk without opposition.  It will be the first of its kind in the state to lay out what constitutes a clinical breast exam and set guidelines for the procedure.  A CBE is recommended every year for women ages 40 and over, and every one to three years for women 20 to 39.  Along with a mammogram, a CBE is an important tool in early detection.  Click here to go to the Illinois General Assembly page and read about HB0147.

 

---

Do you know about Y-ME Illinois’ Wig & Prosthesis Bank?

 

Y-ME Illinois is proud to offer wigs, breast prosthetics, and other breast cancer-related accessories, free of charge to breast cancer patients that have limited financial resources.  Our trained Patient Services Assistant helps select the wig and/or prosthesis that is right for the patient, in a confidential and comfortable setting.

 

In order to maintain the stock of our Wig & Prosthesis Bank, we rely on donations of new or gently used wigs, prostheses, and bras from individuals and corporations.  If you would like to donate products, or to make a financial contribution, please contact us to make arrangements.

 

For more information or to make an appointment, please contact:

Sammie L. Holmes, Patient Services Assistant at 312-364-9071 or at sholmes@y-me.org.

---

ShareRing Network

A free, monthly one-hour teleconference featuring a breast cancer related presentation by a medical professional followed by a question and answer session. Participants are divided into small groups for discussion, which are moderated by peer counselors.

The ShareRing Network teleconferences take place on the third Wednesday of each month, beginning at 7:00 PM Central Time (CT).

June 20, 2007, 7:00 p.m. (CT)
“Female Health Issues After Breast Cancer”
Speaker: Elena Kamel, M.D.
Obstetrician/Gynecologist
Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University

To register, click here

Dr. Kamel will discuss female health issues that breast cancer survivors often face after treatment, addressing topics that include osteoporosis, menopause, hormone therapy and pregnancy and fertility. A question and answer session will follow.

Dr. Elena Kamel is associate professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at the Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University and founder of one of the first all-women's OB/GYN groups in Chicago.

She is a member of the Northern American Menopause Society with certification as a menopause expert and a member of the International Society of Bone Densitometry and Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Kamel received the Magnus P. Urnes award for excellence in teaching and the Harte award from Y-ME for distinguished service and dedication to breast cancer awareness and civil service.