Step Out And Tell Breast Cancer To Take A Hike!

Marlinton, WV – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And women and men are invited to step up and step out against this dreaded disease. Swago CEOS President Dorothy Lane offers some information on how you can participate.

“Throughout October 2011, Mountains of Hope, West Virginia’s comprehensive cancer control coalition and its partners are sponsoring 21 regional Walks for Women: Take a Step Against Breast Cancer,” she says. “The purpose of these walks is to raise awareness about the importance of breast cancer screening, to honor breast cancer survivors and to remember those who have died from the disease. Donations benefit the West Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Diagnostic and Treatment fund.”

“The fund created by the West Virginia state legislature in 1996 helps pay for diagnostic and limited treatment services for uninsured West Virginia women, who may not be able to otherwise afford breast and cervical cancer screening and treatment.”

Lane says the West Virginia legislature allows the coalition to raise funds through private donations and the walks. The WV Bureau of Health administers the funds. She says walks in past years have very successful.

“Last year the walks raised over $100,000.00 for the fund,” says Lane. “The Walks for Women range from one to three miles long; there is a rest station at the midpoint of each walk. To find out how to participate in a walk, call your local cancer information specialist or call the West Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening programs education coordinator at 304-293-2370.”