March 2005 Y-ME Illinois e-News
Watch for the latest updates from Y-ME Illinois in your inbox the first weekday
of each month.
In This Edition:
NBCC & Y-ME Announce Legislative Priorities for the 109th Congress
Each year the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) sets federal legislative
priorities that its member organizations, including Y-ME Illinois, will focus
on achieving.
Our priorities for the 109th Congress (2005) are:
1.) Guaranteed access to quality health care for all
2.) $150 million appropriation for the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research
Program (DOD BCRP) for FY06
3.) Enactment of the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act
4.) Preservation of the Medicaid Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program
5.) Enactment of legislation to mandate registration of clinical trials
Join the IlliNOISY Advocacy Network now so you receive alerts letting you know when policy decisions are being made
that impact breast cancer. Legislators do listen to their constituents and that
is why it is so important that they hear from you!
Just for Teens Program Enters Its 15th Year!
In March of 1991, the first class of high school seniors heard the message of
the importance of early detection in the fight against breast cancer. Fourteen
successful years later, the "Just for Teens" Breast Health Program is still going
strong. Driven almost entirely by volunteers, Just for Teens engages high school
seniors around the Chicagoland area and Peoria in a discussion with trained breast
cancer survivors about the importance of breast self exams and developing healthy
habits for life. Since its inception, Y-ME has reached over 130,000 young women
in Illinois. We strive to present at almost 100 high schools every year.
We are always looking for breast cancer survivors to become presenters and there
is a particular need for presenters in the south suburbs!
For more information about our program or to volunteer, please contact Abby Drevs,
Program Coordinator, at adrevs@y-me.org or 312-364-9071.
Y-ME Fashion Show Kickoff Scheduled for April 2nd
Become a part of history! Help plan the 25th Annual Y-ME Luncheon and Fashion
Show!
Every year, hundreds of volunteer hours of planning go into producing our annual
luncheon and fashion show. Volunteers have the opportunity to help shape this
Silver Anniversary event at our Annual Fashion Show Kickoff event, held downtown
on April 2nd. Volunteers will be able to sign up for one of the many committees
that work so hard to plan our signature event!
For more information, contact Karen Greenberg at kgreenberg@y-me.org or (312) 364-9071.
Don't Forget to RSVP for Our Upcoming Open House
We are busily planning for our Open House on March 14th and we want to remind
all our volunteers and supporters to stop by the Y-ME Illinois office for some
spring cheer. Come meet new staff, see our new and improved space, and have a
little weekday fun!
Y-ME Illinois Open House
Monday, March 14th - 4:00-7:00 p.m.
203 N. Wabash Ave., Suite 1220, Chicago 60601
Refreshments will be served
Lending for Life Program
Gold Coast Mortgage is excited for the opportunity to partner with Y-ME Illinois
by providing the “Lending for Life” program. For anyone who becomes a client of Gold Coast Mortgage and mentions
the Lending for Life program, Y-ME Illinois will receive a $100 donation for every
$100,000 in loan amount. As an extra incentive for each borrower, Gold Coast
Mortgage will credit up to $1000 in closing costs through Lending for Life. The
Lending for Life program is exceptional because Gold Coast Mortgage extends a
special offer to Y-ME Illinois supporters and at the same time helps Y-ME to ensure that no one faces breast cancer alone.
Please contact Terri Graser at 312-377-0642 or tgraser@mygcf.com for further details.
Be Sure to Save These Dates
LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon
Sunday, October 9, 2005
Cheer on the 2005 Pink Streak Team as they run 26.2 miles to ensure that no one
faces breast cancer alone! If you want to become part of the Pink Streak Team
or volunteer for Y-ME the day of the marathon, contact Karen Greenberg at kgreenberg@y-me.org or (312) 364-9071.
25th Annual Y-ME Luncheon & Fashion Show
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Chicago Hilton and Towers, 720 S. Michigan Avenue
The silver anniversary of this signature Y-ME event that honors both survivors
and supporters promises to be the best yet - don't miss it!
Thursday, March 10th - 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Pink Ribbon Thursday (2nd Thursday of every month)
Tilli's, 1952 N. Halsted, Chicago
Grab your co-workers and friends for the Y-ME Young Professionals Group Pink
Ribbon Thursday, a monthly social and networking event. Enjoy an evening of cocktails,
meeting new people, and getting involved with the breast cancer cause.
Monday, March 14th - 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Y-ME Illinois Open House
203 N. Wabash Ave., Suite 1220, Chicago
Spring is just around the corner and we want to invite all our volunteers and
supporters to stop by the Y-ME Illinois office for some spring cheer! This is
our way to thank all those who support the work of Y-ME Illinois in various ways
throughout the year. Our office recently underwent renovations and is looking
better than ever - come see the new and improved Sharon Rose Wig & Prosthesis
Salon, the Gerry Weinberg Memorial Resource Library, and many other exciting changes.
*RSVP by contacting Alicia Huguelet at ahuguelet@y-me.org or (312) 364-9071.
Saturday, April 2nd - 10 a.m.
Fashion Show Kickoff Event
Private residence at Michigan & Delaware in Chicago
*full address given upon RSVP
Join us as we kickoff the planning for our 25th Annual Luncheon & Fashion
Show.
Friday, May 6th - 8:00 p.m.-Midnight
Pink Ribbon Ball
Chicago Cultural Center - 77 E. Randolph Street
Join the Y-ME Young Professionals Group for this gala affair to benefit Y-ME
Illinois. Dance to the musical stylings of Lynne Jordan and the Shivers while
enjoying delicious hors d'oeuvres by Entertaining Company.
Sunday, May 8th
Y-ME Race Against Breast Cancer
Mother's Day - Downtown Chicago
Don't miss this...For more information about forming your own team or participating
as an individual visit the Race Website or call the Race Hotline at 877-YME-RACE.
You can also visit the Y-ME Race Homepage.
May 21-24th
NBCC Annual Advocacy Training Conference
Washington, D.C.
Join the IlliNOISY delegation for an amazing weekend of learning, discussions,
and fun as we prepare to visit our elected officials in Congress regarding breast
cancer issues.
For more information about attending this amazing event contact Alicia Huguelet at
ahuguelet@y-me.org or 312-364-9071.
Saturday, May 21st - 9 am-2 pm
Enlightening, Not Frightening: Breast Cancer Awareness for African-American Women
University of Chicago Hospitals
A day long event to promote awareness about breast cancer and early detection
for African-American women will include discussions on everything from racial
disparities to clinical trials to faith and cancer care. Funded in part with a
grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Office of Women's Health,
this symposium is being coordinated through Y-ME Illinois with the help of other
local health organizations and the University of Chicago Hospitals.
For more information about this exciting event contact Abby Drevs at adrevs@y-me.org or 312-364-9071.
Wednesday, July 27th
North Shore Friends Annual Card Party
Twin Orchard Country Club
To join the card party contact Verna Cohen at (847) 699-9878 or Phyllis Savitt
at (847) 480-1654 – call early as the party fills up every year!
Sunday, August 21st
North Shore Friends Day at the Races
Arlington Race Track
North Shore Friends hopes to raise $50,000 with all proceeds being donated to
Y-ME Illinois. If you are interested in sponsoring and/or purchasing tickets
for Day at the Races, please contact Linda Portnoy at (847) 256-5072
Y-ME Illinois does not necessarily endorse the point of view or content of these
news stories. We would also like to remind our readers about the importance of
reading media reports regarding the latest research with a critical eye. Reports
are sometimes based on preliminary results or based on small samples. It's also
important to remember that "association" does not necessarily equal "causation."
Happy reading!
List of Cancer-Causing Agents Grows
The Department of Health and Human Services released its Eleventh Edition of
the Report on Carcinogens today, adding seventeen substances to the growing list
of cancer-causing agents, bringing the total to 246. For the first time ever,
viruses are listed in the report: hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and some
human papillomaviruses that cause common sexually transmitted diseases. Other
new listings include lead and lead compounds, X-rays, compounds found in grilled
meats, and a host of substances used in textile dyes, paints and inks. Read more.
Some Breast Cancer Patients Live Long With Additional Radiation
Women with moderate- to high-risk early breast cancer who received radiation
therapy in addition to mastectomy and chemotherapy were more likely to be alive
after 20 years of follow-up than women who received surgery and chemotherapy alone,
Canadian researchers report. Read more.
Breast Cancer Chemo Timing Doesn't Affect Outcome
The timing of systemic chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer does not affect
patient survival or disease progression, say researchers reporting in the Feb.
2 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Read more.
New Technology That Allows for Better Breast Cancer Diagnosis Comes to Washington
Providence Centralia Hospital is the first health care facility in Washington
to use breast specific gamma imaging -- the most technologically advanced method
of detecting breast cancer that's presently available. Read more.
Breast Cancer Drug Tied to Fewer Heart Attacks
Women with breast cancer who take tamoxifen are less likely to have a heart attack
than women with other types of cancer who are not taking the drug, according to
a new report. Read more.
Gene Mutations Tied to Less Invasive Breast Cancer
Mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene have been linked to invasive forms of breast
cancer, and new research suggests that they are also found with ductal carcinoma
in situ (DCIS), a less invasive form of the disease. Read more.
Rainforest Plant Yields Breast Cancer Fighter
A compound derived from a rare South American plant shows promise as a treatment
for breast cancer, according to a University of Virginia Health System study.
Read more.
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Spring will be here soon!
March Way to Give
Answer our 2005 Spring Appeal! Help us to continue serving our family, friends, and neighbors in Illinois.
To read more, see our Spring In Touch Newsletter.
Friday, May 6th
8 p.m. - Midnight
Chicago Cultural Center
Join the Y-ME Young Professionals Group for a memorable evening of live entertainment
by Lynne Jordan & the Shivers, classic cocktails, decadent hors d'oeuvres
and a lavish silent auction.
Gerry Weinberg Resource Library Wish List
You can now see the books we would like for our Resource Library online via our
Amazon.com Wish List. If you would like to purchase any of these items for Y-ME Illinois be sure
to click to Amazon.com through our homepage as we receive a portion of the sale this way!
Photos from the Y-ME Wellness Spa Launch Event are now on the web.
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