Ohio to Join Nationwide Campaign Challenging U.S. to Close the Gaps in

Via press release


On Tuesday, January 22, the Ohio Affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure will host two events to launch Ohio's participation in the Komen Community Challenge, a nationwidetour to close the gaps in breast cancer care that cause some women to dieof the disease more than others.


A morning press conference and site tour will be held at the OhioHealthRiverside Breast Health Center in order to give the media a clear pictureof the state of breast cancer in Ohio. A luncheon and community forum on"closing the gap" in breast cancer care will follow at the Ohio StatehouseAtrium. The forum will include community leaders and breast canceradvocates and will be moderated by Heather Pick, anchor of 10TV and breastcancer survivor. The purpose of these events is to educate Ohio residentsabout the state of breast cancer in Ohio and to motivate them to call forlegislative action that will improve access to breast health care. Nationwide, one in eight women will get breast cancer in theirlifetime. In 2007 more than 6,700 Ohio women were diagnosed with breastcancer and more than 1,800 women died from the disease. Ohio is ranked 4thin the nation in breast cancer mortality. Low-income and under-insuredwomen are more likely to die from the disease, whereas those with access toearly diagnosis have a 98 percent chance for survival.


WHEN: Tuesday, January 22
9:30 A.M. Press Conference and tour of Riverside Health Center
12:30 P.M. Lunch and Community Forum


WHAT: "Close the Gap" Press conference and tour of the OhioHealth Riverside Breast Health Center. Community Forum to launch Ohio's Komen Community Challenge


WHO: Speakers at the Press Conference and Site Visit: Matt Moore, Senior Policy Advisor for Susan G. Komen for the Cure Miguel Perez, President, Komen Columbus Affiliate U.S. Congressman Pat Tiberi (R-12) Ohio Senator Tom Niehaus (R-14) Dr. Brenda Sickle-Santanello, OhioHealth Speakers at the Community Forum: Ohio Representative Joyce Beatty (D-27) Dr. Alvin Jackson, Director, Ohio Department of Health Helen Jones Kelley, Director, Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services Stefanie Spielman, breast cancer survivor & founder, Stefanie Spielman Fund Dr. Jean Stevenson, surgeon, MetroHealth Cancer Care Center, Cleveland Lee Halarewicz, breast cancer survivor and advocate


WHERE: The press conference and tour is at Riverside Health Center Lower Level Atrium, 500 Thomas Lane, Columbus, OH 43214. Parking is available in the purple parking garage, adjacent to the Center. The community forum is in the Ohio Statehouse Atrium.