Task Force Calls for Full Funding of IBCCP

The Task Force also called on Governor Pat Quinn and the Illinois Legislature to provide adequate funding for the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP), which they said is grossly underfunded.

"In Illinois, 300,000 women are eligible for mammograms through the IBCCP program, but the program only has enough money to fund mammograms for 33,000, or only one in 10 women," said Barbara Akpan, Chair of the Chicago Chapter of the National Black Nurses Association and a breast cancer survivor. "That is just plain unacceptable. A regular mammogram can be the difference between life and death. Every woman has a right to breast cancer screening and treatment."

Last year, the program received $20.6 million and provided mammograms to 39,500 women. This year, the funding was cut to $17.1 million, so only 33,000 women can get mammograms. The Task Force unveiled posters and a slogan for the campaign, "A Right Not a Luxury" and is collecting signatures through an on-line petition drive at www.petitiononline/MCBCTF1/petition.html.

Grant Awarded to Third Community-Based Organization for Education and Outreach

The Task Force announced a $50,000 first-year grant to Breast Cancer Network of Strength for outreach to women in Chicago Latino communities. Their goal is to educate low-income, medically underserved women about the importance of breast health screening and early detection and to facilitate access to breast screening services. This grant was made possible through generous funding provided by Sanofi-Aventis.

The Task Force continues to provide similar funding to two other community-based organizations, announced last year with funding from the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade. The Amani-Trinity United Community Health Corporation has dispatched peer health educators to canvas communities on the South Side, providing information on breast cancer health. "Mammogram navigators" are working to identify women in need of mammograms and help navigate them through the complete process of breast cancer screening. Sisters Embracing Life receives funding to conduct outreach in Austin and West Garfield Park, hold support group meetings, provide counseling and referral services, conduct mammogram and screening education and deliver mammogram reminders.

SOURCE Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force