October 7, 2015
Page 7
The Law Offices of
Patrick John Sweeney, P.C.
Patrick John Sweeney
Attorney at Law
1549 SE Ladd, Portland, Oregon
Portland:
Hillsoboro:
Facsimile:
(503) 244-2080
(503) 244-2081
(503) 244-2084
Email:Sweeney@PDXLawyer.com
God’s Women of Praise perform at Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church in north Portland
to bring awareness to the Worship in Pink campaign for breast cancer awareness.
Worship in Pink for a Cure
Faith community works for breast cancer prevention
October kicks off Worship in
Pink, a month-long effort in the
black community to address the
breast health disparities for wom-
en and men in our region. In part-
nership with Komen Oregon and
Southwest Washington, Legacy
Health, and community groups,
the effort also coincides with the
national Breast Cancer Awareness
Month.
Research shows that only 57
percent of African-American
women are regularly screened
for breast cancer, compared with
74 percent of all women. Com-
pounding the seriousness of the is-
sue is that of every African Ameri-
can woman diagnosed, 42 percent
will be late stage.
“We can change these alarm-
ing statistics by stressing the im-
portance of early detection and by
helping facilitate the screenings
through this local mission,” said
Andrew Asato of the Susan G.
Koman organization in Portland.
“We can also help connect the
uninsured and underinsured for
free or low cost mammograms to
remove that barrier to early detec-
tion.”
The Rev. Dr. T. Allen Beth-
el, pastor of Maranatha Church,
and Komen board member, said,
“Survival rates for breast cancer
increase dramatically if detect-
ed early and we need to get this
message out. Our faith community
has stepped up to take on this chal-
lenge and literally save lives.”
Begun five years ago as a sin-
gle Worship in Pink Sunday at a
handful of churches, this move-
ment has grown to encompass the
entire month of October, with over
25 places of worship, and several
community organizations holding
specific education events. Numer-
ous other businesses and gathering
places are also involved to help
publicize the events. A complete
list of events and information is
available at WorshipinPinkPDX.
org.
Kathy Kendrix, the Worship in
Pink coordinator, says “Our big-
gest goal is awareness and edu-
Celebrating Nigeria
and Democracy
The Nigerian community in
Oregon and Southwest Washing-
ton invites friends and neighbors
to celebrate democracy in Nigeria
on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 6 p.m.
to 2 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Port-
land Airport, 8439 N.E. Columbia
Blvd.
Voting in March marked the
first time an opposition leader won
the Nigerian presidential election,
and the first time a seated presi-
dent conceded defeat.
Nigeria has been ruled by dem-
ocratically elected governments
for the past 16 years, and for many
expats and immigrants, that prog-
ress is cause for celebration.
The event will include a cock-
tail hour, networking opportu-
nities, dinner, and dancing. Ad-
mission is $45 at the door. For
advance tickets and more infor-
mation, visit ncoswa.org.
cation so we are heading out into
community where people gather
to spread the word. We’ve had a
tremendous outpouring of support
this year with the increased num-
ber of churches and community
groups engaging with their con-
gregations and members.”