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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 2016)
Page 10 The Skanner September 21, 2016 By Susan G. Komen Oregon and SW Washington A s a big pink display of communi- ty involvement, over 30 church- es in the Portland metro area are organizing activities that promote breast cancer awareness and the importance of screening in early detection. The growing Worship in Pink pro- gram, directed by Susan G. Komen Or- egon & Southwest Washington, is held during October’s Breast Cancer Aware- ness Month. Volunteer Ambassadors from each church are trained in the message and are provided resources to use at their activities. Nationally, breast cancer is the sec- ond most common cause of death in Af- rican American women, exceeded only by lung cancer. Currently, in Portland, only 57 percent of African American women get mammograms, compared to 76 percent of the general population. This is especially troubling because Af- rican American women are much more likely than other women to be diag- nosed at a later stage (42 percent in Af- rican American women vs. 27 percent in the general population). They tend to be diagnosed at a younger age with a more aggressive form of breast cancer. As a way to work towards closing this gap, seven of these churches are going above the regular Worship in Pink program and assisting women in need to receive a mammogram as African American Initiative Pilot Churches. Pilot Church congregations are at least 50 percent African American. Their Ambassadors will receive additional training on both insurance options, for the insured and uninsured, and how to motivate and help someone through the process of getting a mammogram. In the months following their Worship in Pink activity, they will contact and help attendees who ask for assistance. Worship in Pink is truly a communi- ty wide project with churches working together on outreach and education. Janet Long, one of Allen Temple CME Church Ambassadors, was one of the original Pink Ambassadors from the irst Pink Sunday event held in 2010. Her congregation has persevered through two devastating ires to their church building and is now combining their eforts with another church. Jan- et says, “in February 2014, Maranatha Church graciously allowed us to hold our worship service in their building. With us sharing the same building for worship, we became bonded in a new way and wished to share the Worship in Pink experience as well. Last year was our irst joint collaboration where we hosted a “Lunch and Learn” event. This year our “Lunch and Learn” will be held at Maranatha Church on Oct. 8 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. with special guest Dr. Natalie Johnson, a surgical oncolo- gist and breast cancer survivor,” Christell Harris, Maranatha Church’s Women’s ministry leader and usher, is also an Ambassador with Worship in Pink. Her involvement began a few years ago when the issue became deep- ly personal. One of the church’s ambassadors had recently passed away from breast can- cer and then just a couple of months lat- er, the woman’s daughter passed away from the same disease. It was devastat- ing to Christell. She says ,“I was close Allen Temple CME Ambassadors Janet Long, Carol Roberts, and Reverend Rhonda Smith, along with Ambassadors from Community of Hope Church, learning about the message and resources at the 2016 Worship in Pink Ambassador Summit Training. to both of them. Ater they passed I wanted to reach as many peo- ple as I could. It is more than just awareness — it is important to get the mammogram. Even if you don’t have insur- ance, there are places where you can get a free mammogram.” Dr. T. Al- len Bethel, Senior Pastor at Maranatha, says of the program, “Worship in Pink is important because many African Maranatha Ambassador Janelle Hartley talks with some Worship in Americans oten are di- Pink attendees. agnosed in late stages; Worship in Pink helps • St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church bring awareness and access to com- (“High Tea and Hat Show” from 12-2 bat this deadly disparity and see us all pm Oct. 15 at 8101 N Fiske Ave * Port- proper in our health.” land) • Vancouver Avenue First Baptist For help in receiving a mammogram, Church (“Worship in Pink Camp attend a Worship in Pink activity at one MPowerment” OCt. 7 in the O.B. Wil- of these African American Initiative liams Fellowship Hall at 3138 N Van- Pilot Churches: couver Ave * Portland) • Allen Temple CME Church and Ma- ranatha Church (“Lunch & Learn” The complete Worship in Pink from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 8 in the Mul- schedule of activities can be found at tipurpose Room at 4222 NE 12th Ave KomenOregon.org. * Portland) • Antioch Missionary Baptist Church About Susan G. Komen Oregon and (“Family and Friends Lunch” from 1 SW Washington: In the last 25 years, the p.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 29 at 5935 N Min- local organization has funneled nearly nesota Ave * Portland) $19.8 million into programs that prior- • Bethel AME Church (“Pink Believers itize the importance of improving and Breakfast” from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Oct. building on the quality of life for survi- 8, in the Multipurpose Room at 5828 vors and forever ighters, emphasize the value of early detection and screenings, NE 8th * Portland) • Community AME Zion Church as well as inancial assistance for access (“Worship in Pink Annual Tea” from to treatment. Another $11.8 million has 1 to 3 p.m. on Oct. 22, at 2211 NE 137th been dedicated to local cutting edge re- search. Ct * Vancouver) PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN G. KOMEN OREGON AND SW WASHINGTON Area Churches Pull Together to Fight Breast Cancer with Worship in Pink Activities PHOTO COURTESY OF SUSAN G. KOMEN OREGON AND SW WASHINGTON News