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Celebrate Valentine's Day in style at the 4th Annual Tasting Stars!

www.tastingstars.org

February 2006 Y-ME Illinois e-News
 
Be sure to watch for the latest issue of Y-ME Illinois e-News in your inbox the first weekday of each month!
 
In This Edition:

 


 
 

Support Group Spotlight - South Chicago "Celebrating Life" Group Enters 10th Year
 
In 1996, Martha Haley was diagnosed with breast cancer. As a young African American woman she searched for a group to support her through her diagnosis and treatment. She found many people willing to talk to her one-on-one through the National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer and Y-ME, but she felt that it wasn't exaclty what she was looking for. When approached by an oncology nurse at Trinity Hospital, where she was being treated, to begin a support group, she responded enthusiatically. With Y-ME's help and the support of her hospital, she became trained as a peer counselor and began her group in early 1997. The first meeting had one attendee - ten years later, the group regularly hosts over 20 women at various stages of their breast cancer experience with new members every month. Despite several health-related setbacks, Martha has successfully navigated her group through 10 years of celebrating life with laughter and tears - thanks in part to the dedication of other members who have always pitched in when necessary. Trinity Hospital plans to honor the group this year for a decade of ensuring that no one faces breast cancer alone.
 
South Chicago "Celebrating Life" meets on the first Saturday of the month at 10am at Trinity Hospital, 2320 E. 93rd Street in Chicago.
 
 

 
Young Survivors - Add Your Two Cents!
 
In order to better tailor our efforts to support young women, Y-ME Illinois, Gilda's Club Chicago and the Young Survival Coalition are hosting a focus group for young survivors on February 22nd in the evening. If you are interested in helping direct the way these organizations support women like yourself, please call Abby at (312) 364-9071 to register.
 

 
Be a Part of the Pink Streak Movement!
 
If you attended the 2005 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon you could not help but notice all the Pink streaking past the crowds. People who did saw something bigger than themselves, they saw something Pink. Y-ME Illinois Pink Streak is more than a team, it's a movement. A movement in the fight against breast cancer.
 
In 2006, the Pink Streak movement is going to be bigger and stronger than ever. With more runners and more sponsors, you will see Pink Streak everywhere! Along the lake path, running through your neighborhood, past your stores, you too will see something Pink. Be a part of this movement and be part of something Pink!
 
Interested in being part of this movement as either a runner or a sponsor? Don’t delay or Pink Streak will pass you by!
 
Visit the Pink Streak website or contact Ciara McGrath at 312-364-9071 or cmcgrath@y-me.org for more information.
 


Thursday, February 26th
6 - 9 p.m.

 

Shake off the Winter Blues and Support Y-ME Illinois!
 
A Chicago winter can definitely bring out the blues in all of us. What better time than now to heat things up and ‘conVurge for a Cause’. On behalf of Y-ME Illinois, conVurge is hosting the Winter Blues Y-ME Illinois Charity Event on February 23rd 2006, from 6:00-9:00 pm, at the Loews House of Blues Hotel Kaz Bar. Join us for drinks and appetizers while enjoying Live Blues Entertainment and a spring preview Fashion Show. Check out our blues-infused Art Auction, where you can sample and/or bid on pieces donated by nationally recognized artists from NY to San Francisco. This charity event will warm your heart.
 
Tickets are $45
For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.convurge.org.
 

  
Join the Y-ME Illinois Associate Board Today
 
The newly formed Y-ME Illinois Associate Board, which replaces the former Y-ME Young Professionals Group, is recruiting new members. Led by Ann Brinkman and Kim Cordillo, the Associate Board is designed to increase awareness of Y-ME Illinois and the breast cancer cause throughout Chicago. Members participate in service projects that directly impact patients and raise funds to support the free programs offered by Y-ME Illinois. Additionally, the Associate Board provides an opportunity for members to network, build rewarding relationships, and develop leadership skills.
 
There's a spot for every volunteer, no matter where your talents lie. From providing to company for patients during chemotherapy sessions to planning events, however you choose to get involved it's sure to brighten a breast cancer patient’s day … not to mention your own.
 
Associate Board members make a one-year commitment and are required to complete the following:
  • Attend one meeting per quarter
  • Serve on a board committee
  • Pay $100 annual dues (can be paid in increments)
  • Support events through ticket sales (must sell 10 tickets throughout the year)
Make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. Join the Y-ME Illinois Associate Board TODAY!
 
For more details or to join, contact Board Co-Chairs Ann Brinkman (annmariebrinkman@yahoo.com) and Kim Cordillo (kim1cordillo@yahoo.com).
  


See photos from the 25th Anniversary Y-ME Illinois Fashion Show & Luncheon online now!
 
You can also purchase the 2005 Fashion Show DVD!
Research Advocacy Network Offers New Fact Sheets
 
Two new fact sheets have been added to the "What it Means for Me" Fact Sheet Series available on the Research Advocacy Network website. The new topic sheets are on the results of the Avastin and Herceptin studies in breast cancer. These are available for download on the Research Advocacy Network Publications area of the website.
The Research Advocacy Network is a non-profit organization working to bring together all participants in the medical research process with the focus on education, support and connecting patient advocates with the research community to improve patient care.

 
Y-ME ShareRing Network
                 
A free, monthly one-hour teleconference, offered by Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, featuring a breast cancer related presentation by a medical professional followed by a question and answer session.  The call then ends with small discussion groups.
 
ShareRing Network Teleconference Schedule:
 
February 15, 2006
Topic: "One Woman's Story"
Speaker: Dr. Sandy Goldberg
NBC5 Health and Nutrition Contributor, Chicago and Breast Cancer Survivor
To register, click here.
 
March 15, 2006
"Emotional Changes After Breast Cancer"
Mary K. Hughes, C.N.S.
Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
University of Texas at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
To register, click here.
 
Transcriptions are now available! To read transcriptions of past ShareRing Network teleconferences, click here.
 


Don't miss it in 2006.
NBCCF Annual Advocacy Training Conference
April 29th - May 2nd
Washington, DC
Calendar of Events
 
We also post additional events online:
February 11, 2006
4th Annual Tasting Stars
7:00 p.m.
Michigan Avenue, Chicago
 
Celebrate Valentine's Day in style and support Y-ME Illinois at the 4th Annual Tasting Stars champagne tasting.  Enjoy a variety of fine champagnes while taking in a spectacular view of Chicago from high above Michigan Avenue. Proceeds from this event benefit Y-ME Illinois.  For more information visit www.tastingstars.org or contact Ciara McGrath at (312) 364-9071 or cmcgrath@y-me.org.
 
April 29 - May 2, 2006
2006 NBCCF Annual Advocacy Training Conference - Washington, DC
Scholarships are available to assist with costs of attending!
 
Join the IlliNOISY delegation as we take our voices to Capitol Hill in the fight against breast cancer!  Don't miss this tremendous opportunity to connect with breast cancer advocates from around the country & get up-to-date information on breast cancer research and health policy developments.  For more information contact Alicia at ahuguelet@y-me.org or visit www.stopbreastcancer.org.
 
May 14, 2006 - Mother's Day
Y-ME RACE Against Breast Cancer
1 or 3 mile walk / 5k run
9:00 a.m.
Chicago's Grant Park
 
The Y-ME RACE is a truly meaningful way to spend Mother's Day morning - paying tribute to a loved one who has been touched by breast cancer and helping to ensure that no one faces breast cancer alone.
  

 
Science & Research News
  
Y-ME Illinois does not necessarily endorse the content listed below.  We would also like to remind our readers about the importance of reading 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 equal "causation."  Happy reading!
   
California Board Links Secondhand Smoke to Breast Cancer
California regulators ruled Thursday that secondhand smoke causes breast cancer in younger women, an unprecedented finding that could lead to tougher anti-smoking measures. Read more.
 
Nuclear Medicine Imaging Allows Prediction Of Breast Cancer Patients' Response To Hormonal Treatment
Innovative use of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS), a nuclear medicine imaging technique looking at how the body functions at the molecular level, may provide near immediate selection of breast cancer patients for endocrine therapy and offers a new tool in fighting the disease. Read more.
 
 
New Study Examines Scope Of Online Breast Cancer Support Groups
Stereotypes about who will use online support groups are wrong, according to research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The researchers found that age, income and education did not predict participation, although minorities were not as active as other users. Read more.
 
Survival Improved by Radiation After Breast Cancer Surgery
Combined data from 78 randomized clinical trials show that radiation therapy after either breast-conserving surgery (BCS) or mastectomy in women with early breast cancer significantly reduces both five-year recurrence and 15-year mortality rates. This is the first research to show that postsurgical radiation therapy in this group of patients helps them to live longer in addition to lowering their risk of local recurrence. Read more.
 
Breast Cancer Fatigue Often Lingers
Years after treatment for breast cancer, many women still face fatigue, especially those with depression or other health problems, a new study shows. Read more.
 
Family Influences Breast Cancer Treatment Among Older Hispanics
The influence of the family in the treatment decision-making process for breast cancer may account the significant racial differences in breast cancer management, according to a new study. Read more.

Illinois Affiliate of Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization
203 N. Wabash | Suite 1220 | Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312-364-9071 | Fax: 312-364-9066
www.y-me.org/illinois

Y-ME National Breast Cancer Hotline
1-800-221-2141 (English)
1-800-986-9505 (español)
*Interpreters available in 150 languages



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