March 16, 2010

According to a locally funded 2006 PRC Low Income Health Assessment, "Allen County low-income adults are less likely than low-income adults nationally to have had preventive colorectal and prostate cancer screenings." It also indicates that low-income children living in Allen County are more likely to be overweight than children in low-income households nationwide.  While the report shows favorable results based on the sampling of African-Americans surveyed for having participated in certain cancer screenings, cancer continues to be the number one cause of death for African Americans in Allen County as compared to the second leading cause of death in the state and in the nation.  Additionally, the 2006 PRC study shows that Allen County Blacks and Hispanics are suffering disproportionately from being overweight and obese, which are known to be significant risk factors for certain cancers.

Dr. Otis W. Brawley, Chief Medical Officer of American Cancer Society is the keynote speaker for “Straight Talk” on the Status of Cancer, a fundraising breakfast event for FWAACA dba Building Bridges to Healthier Communities (BBHC), (formerly known as Fort Wayne African American Cancer Alliance, Inc.).  FWAACA/BBHC is celebrating 14 years as an organization committed to its mission to “educate, advocate, and collaborate to work toward the prevention and early detection of cancer in the African-American and medically under-served communities”. 

“As healthcare reform is being figured out, we have real live situations that cannot wait for a resolve.  Our communities are dying rapidly from preventable diseases!  To literally read obituaries finding people in their 30's, 40's, 50's succumbing to cancer is a sad commentary, particularly because more than likely they displayed symptoms and either were not educated enough to understand there was a problem; they knew there was a problem, but were afraid to know what was wrong; or they simply didn't have access to the means,” says Evelyn J. Frierson, Executive Director of the organization.  “We are excited to have Dr. Brawley to support our organization who spends countless hours without adequate resources pounding the pavement to get the message out about cancer!”

Dr. Otis Brawley, a practicing oncologist, most recently served as professor of Hematology and Oncology and Epidemiology at Emory University, as Medical Director of the Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, and as Deputy Director for Cancer Control at Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University.  Previously, Dr. Brawley served in a variety of capacities at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), with his most recent NCI position as that of Director of the Office of Special Populations Research. He is a renowned leader in the field of health disparities research. He led the National Cancer Institute Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial and also focuses his clinical research on breast cancer. (Source: American Cancer Society)

Tracina Smith, Associate Director of American Cancer Society Northern Indiana region states, “this event is a wonderful opportunity to educate the community regarding cancer disparities as well as support an organization who has worked tirelessly, with minimal operational funding, in the same disparaged communities to promote prevention and early detection strategies.”  Smith, serves as the Board President for FWAACA/BBHC and was instrumental in accessing Dr. Brawley and his very busy schedule.  “We need organizations like FWAACA/BBHC to help the American Cancer Society deliver the urgent messages of health & wellness and improve the health of our community.” 

“Funding resources for operational capacity have been very difficult to acquire in the past few years”, Frierson states.  “We have worked several strategies including calendar sales of local cancer survivors to raise funds to help us keep our doors open.  Unfortunately, the communities that we serve simply do not have the means to support us in the capacity we need, and mainstream foundations are putting their dollars primarily into chronic and acute care initiatives.”  She adds, “we understand that prevention can be considered unmeasurable because you can't count someone that 'didn't get sick' based on making lifestyle adjustments that we educate and encourage.  However, we are making a significant difference in the community simply by the testimonies that I personally hear from individuals that have participated in our workshops.”

FWAACA/BBHC hosts a weekly radio program on 100.5 FM WQSW-LP, which also streams on the web at www.stellarwomen.com.  Dr. Terrell M. Bond, Jr., Chief Medical Officer of Neighborhood Health Clinics co-hosts the radio program with Frierson addressing health prevention from a holistic perspective.  FWAACA/BBHC has plans to develop greater initiatives within Fort Wayne to assist in the development of a healthier community.  Collaborations with the Allen County Health Disparity Coalition have been key in making fundamental strides toward improving the health of the medically underserved to include the uninsured, under-insured and working poor. 

Dr. Brawley's work with the American Cancer Society has championed efforts to decrease smoking, improve diet, detect cancer at the earliest stage and provide the critical support cancer patients need. He also guides efforts to enhance and focus the research program, upgrade the Society's advocacy capacity, and concentrate community cancer control efforts in areas where they will be most effective. Brawley is also a key leader in the Society's work to eliminate disparities in access to high-quality cancer care. (Source: CNNHealth)

Dr. Brawley will address a hopeful full-house on Monday, March 22, 2010 at 8:00 a.m. at the Holiday Inn (4111 Paul Shafer Drive, off Coliseum). Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., with a full-course buffet breakfast being served.  Tickets are $40 per person with a portion tax deductible.  Sponsorships, vendor tables, and table captain opportunities are available by visiting www.fwaaca.com, or emailing canceralliance@yahoo.com for more information.  More information may also be obtained by calling 260.399.6461.