Choosing the national president’s project is one of the privileges of being national president.
Working in the social work field, I am exposed to many areas of concern for women that merit consideration. However, this year I am going to follow my predecessor, Amy McConnell, and choose women’s health, one that has touched me personally this year. This year, one of my siblings was diagnosed with breast cancer. Because this is something that can touch so many of us – family members or friends — I was excited to announce that the national president’s project for 2008-09 is Women’s Cancer Awareness. This is an area where Omega Phi Alpha can truly make a difference – through education, prevention and advocacy. Cancer is highly curable if detected at stage 1. Early detection = survival. It’s as simple as that. Through education, legislation and social reform, the very landscape of America’s women’s healthcare consciousness can be totally changed.
President Bush signed Johanna’s Law on Jan. 12, 2007, landmark legislation that authorizes development of a national gynecologic cancer awareness campaign. Both houses of Congress unanimously approved Johanna’s Law: the Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act in late 2006. On December 26, 2007, President Bush signed an omnibus spending bill that appropriated $6.5 million toward Johanna’s Law. You can get ideas for projects from the OPhiA service director at [email protected] or visit these Websites for information and ideas: American Cancer Society – www.cancer.org
Fran Drescher’s Cancer Schmancer Movement – www.cancerschmancer.org
Susan G Komen, Breast Cancer – www. komen.org
National Institute of Health, Breast Cancer Study – www.sisterstudy.org