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GIRLS SCOUTS OF NASSAU COUNTY SUPPORTS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH


Garden City, NY October 12, 2007--An estimated 178,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the United States during 2007 and an estimated 40,460 women will die from breast cancer this year.  The Girl Scouts of Nassau County want to do their part to help combat these startling statistics by participating in Breast Cancer Awareness Month with educational programs for girls and their families.  
 
“It is never too early to raise awareness with our children about breast cancer and the importance of early detection,” says Donna Ceravolo, Executive Director of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County.  “Learning about risk factors at a young age is a great defense in the fight against this devastating illness.”
 
One of the ways Girl Scouts has started to build awareness for this disease is through an Interest Project Award called, In the Pink. This program offers activities that empower girls to promote breast cancer awareness in their communities. Some of the activities included in In the Pink program can be read below.
 
LEARN…

  • What preventative care and breast cancer treatment options are available today.
  • When the female members of your immediate family who are over 40 had their most recent mammogram, what a mammogram test includes, and ages for mammograms.
  • Your family history. What percentage has had breast cancer? With the help of your family's doctor, make a list of what you're at risk for genetically. What preventative measures can you take?
     
    DO…
  • Participate in a breast cancer community event in your area. Volunteer your time by assisting with registrations, refreshments, set up, and clean up.
  • Design an exercise program based on your fitness level and family's history that promotes an active lifestyle. Incorporate it into your weekly schedule.
  • If she is willing to talk, interview a breast cancer survivor to find out about her experience with the disease.
  • Interview a health professional who is involved in the treatment of breast cancer. This could be a nurse, specialist, pathologist, genetics counselor, oncologist, plastic surgeon, technician, therapist, physical therapist, scientist, or medical reporter.
  • Create a presentation that will educate a group in or outside of Girl Scouts about prevention and health choices that can affect the risks of getting breast cancer.


SHARE

  • Design and present a breast cancer awareness educational program for your school or a Girl Scout group.
  • Write an editorial, letter to the editor, or public service ad for your school or community's newspapers.
  • Share a breast cancer survivor's anonymous story with a group in or outside of Girl Scouts and include suggestions for healthy living and breast cancer prevention.
  • Prepare a "self-exam and mammogram" chart for the female members of your family that explains what they should do and when. Consider sharing it with them.
  • Lead the creation of a quilt to be donated to a local breast cancer clinic, hospital, organization, patient, or survivor. Contact a local hospital or breast cancer organization.


Girl Scouts of Nassau County builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. With 22,000 girl and 7,000 adult members, Girl Scouts of Nassau County has become the preeminent organization and leading authority for girls. The organization, now in its 95th year, continues to strive to serve Every Girl, Everywhere.

For more information about the Girl Scouts of Nassau County, please contact Donna Rivera-Downey at 516-741-2550, ext. 260 or visit www.gsnc.org.