Breast Cancer Awareness
Join us this April as Northwest Arkansas’ own KNWA News anchor Neile Jones joins us. As you may know April is the Race for the Cure month as well as National Cancer Control month and Neile is here to share her story of personal struggle with cancer as well as the inspiration behind her continued activism.
Neile works closely with the Ozark affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation and in 2005 Neile spearheaded “Team Neile” helping to raise over ten thousand dollars to fight breast cancer. As part of her efforts Neile received her first Mammogram on air to encourage others to do the same. She was granted National recognition from the Susan G. Komen Foundation for these efforts and was later awarded the Cameo award for her volunteerism. She was named one of Northwest Arkansas 15 Fabulous Females by Splurge Magazine and is very involved in the Community serving as the Media Chair for Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY). Neile also serves on the Media Committee for the Ozark Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and is a board member for Help Oncology Patients Excel (HOPE). In 2005 Neile Became an honorary board member for the Peace at Home Family Shelter after becoming more involved in the fight against domestic violence. She was the first reporter allowed to spend two nights in the shelter with a camera. The experience gave her an intimate look at families dealing with domestic violence issues. Later, Neile swam in the two mile open water swim at Beaver Lake benefiting the Peace at home Family Shelter. She has participated in several 5k runs and walks benefiting local charities including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk and The Kidney Walk. This year Neile tackled The American Diabetes Associations 20 mile Tour De Cure and completed The Tulsa Run, A 15k course benefiting Hospice of Green Country. Neile enjoys being involved in the community and looks forward to more opportunities in the Northwest Arkansas area.
If you plan on attending please rsvp by clicking here note: this link will open in your email client)
ABOUT THE RACE FOR THE CURE
The Komen Race for the Cure Series raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivorship, and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease.
In 1983, Nancy Brinker created the first Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure in Dallas, Texas with 800 participants. Today, the Komen Race for the Cure Series is the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world.
In addition to raising funds, the Komen Race for the Cure Series is committed to educating the public about early detection, the strongest method of surviving this life-threatening disease. The five-year survival rate is 95 percent when the disease is discovered while still confined to the breast.
The Komen Race for the Cure Series helps raise awareness of the importance of a positive breast health program – annual mammography beginning at age 40, clinical breast exams at least every three years beginning at age 20 and annually at age 40, and monthly breast self-examinations for all women beginning by age 20.
Since its origination, the Komen Race for the Cure Series has grown from a local race to a series of more than 100 races with 1.3 million people participating.
To learn more about the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure visit: http://www.komen.org/
ABOUT NATIONAL CANCER CONTROL MONTH
Each year, the president proclaims April Cancer Control Month to highlight advances against cancer and rededicate the nation to fighting this disease. For the American Cancer Society (ACS), every month is a cancer control month, as it works year-round to fulfill its mission of eliminating cancer as a major health problem.
“Cancer control is an important strategic direction for the American Cancer Society,” says Gerald L. Woolam, MD, president of the ACS. “The Society’s cancer control business unit provides local leadership in cancer prevention and control nationwide through enhanced collaboration with others and transforming state of the science and state of the art into state of the practice.”
Cancer control is “a broad array of organized activities at the local, state, regional or national level that have a positive impact on reducing the human burden of cancer,” says Nancy Lins, strategic business manager for cancer control at ACS.
“Cancer control encompasses prevention, detection, treatment and support to cancer patients, their families and their caregivers, and survivorship issues through the end of life,” she says.
Dr. Woolam says the ACS has identified underlying principles for guiding its work in the area of cancer control. “We are dedicated to measurably improving our capacity to achieve community cancer control,” he says. “Throughout our history, we have striven to move forward into an ever stronger, more vigorous future.”
Lins says moving forward means focusing every day on cancer control. “For our year-round cancer control efforts to show impact, we need to identify effective interventions, communicate current scientific understanding of cancer causes, preventions and cures and keep an eye on future needs and possible interventions,” she says.
To read more about National Cancer Control Month visit: http://www.cancer.org