My husband Ed and I are giving a huge shoutout to Angie Washington. Washington faithfully watched our Newsome's House Calls breast cancer awareness campaign. Now that our June campaign is ending, Washington is taking steps to continue the initiative through December. Wow!
I was thrilled when I read her email to me earlier this week. She said, "Congratulations on celebrating five years of being a breast cancer survivor. I am going to challenge my friends and family to play it forward by asking them to continue your campaign for the month of July. Merely asking for them to make house calls and phone calls, etc."
On Thursday, Washington stated her Extended Newsome's House Calls Initiative. Here's what she wrote in emails and in social media:
Please join in with me as I pick up where Ed and Cynthia Newsome (Midday Anchor for 41 Action News) left off as they launched Newsome's House Calls, a 30-day breast cancer awareness campaign. For the Newsome’s the campaign kicked off in the month of June as Cynthia celebrated her 5th year breast cancer survivor anniversary. I would like to see this great campaign continue on by launching it for the entire month of July. So for the entire month of July, beginning with this coming Friday, please make some house calls, phone calls, Facebook, Twitter or any form of social (media) connection to remind your family and friends to take the simple steps that could save their lives.
Let’s be challenged in keeping this campaign “live” by continuing with the remaining months (July, August, September, October, November, December…). We all can make a difference.
Let’s be proactive and encourage each woman to get their mammograms and do their self-exams. Cynthia Newsome said, “the power of friendship is amazing.”
In addition, let’s not forget about the men. According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, in the U.S., men represent an estimated 1 percent of all breast cancer cases. This year approximately 2,000 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer and a projected 400 men will not survive. Monthly breast self-exams are recommended for men. If a man notices a thickening or hard knot, if the texture of his skin becomes rough or there is any discharge from his nipple, he should contact his doctor right away.
Mammogram Screenings (Free for Qualifying Participants)
- Call your local chapter of the American Cancer Society (http://www.cancer.org) or the national toll-free number, 1-800-ACS-2345. The ACS will be able to tell you about any low-cost or free mammography programs offering screening to women unable to pay for it themselves.
- Susan G. Komen (www.komen.org) or call Susan G. Komen’s breast care helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 10 PM ET.
- Call your City Health Department (816-513-6008). Every state now has a Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/about.htm). This program offers screening to qualifying women unable to pay for it themselves. MO: 1-573-522-2845 KS: 1-877-277-1368.
- Call the YWCA's ENCOREplus Program (http://ywcasj.org) for access to low-cost or free mammograms. To find which YWCA facilities offer this service and if you are eligible, call 1-816-232-4481 or your local YWCA.
- Call the National Cancer Institute (http://www.cancer.gov) at 1-800-4-CANCER for the names of FDA-certified, accredited mammography facilities in your area. If you explain your financial situation, some mammography facilities are willing to work out a lower fee or payment schedule that will make the test more affordable. Ask the facility if they are willing to discuss these options with you.
- Mission of Hope Clinic 6303 Evanston Ave, Raytown MO 816.356.4325.
Thank you Washington for catching the spirit of Newsome's House Calls and continuing to spread the important message of breast cancer awareness that early detection saves lives. We are so proud of you and we support your effort! I always tell women, don't be afraid of finding out you have breast cancer - be afraid of finding out too late. Keep following Angie. We're with you!
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Cynthia Newsome can be reached at Cynthia.Newsome@kshb.com.
