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Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Community Education and Outreach Excursion Hits the Road to Share Information About Breast Health and Breast Cancer

Posted on: Tuesday, 19 September 2006, 18:01 CDT

DALLAS, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation's mobile community education and outreach tour, On the Way to the Cure - Komen on the Go(TM) is back on the road sharing important information about breast health and breast cancer. This nationwide initiative is a fun, hands-on community learning experience that will bring life-saving breast health information to people at health fairs, shopping malls/retail outlets, colleges and university campuses.

The 9-week tour launches from Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 17 and will visit more than 35 communities and campuses before concluding in San Diego. On the Way to the Cure - Komen On the Go(TM) aims to engage all generations in the fight against breast cancer by driving them toward a better education about breast health and breast cancer and a deeper commitment to practical, everyday health habits that could save their lives.

"Every three minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States. For that reason, it is never too early or too late to start practicing healthy habits including regular breast self-exams, clinical breast exams, mammography screening and leading a healthy lifestyle," said Susan Brown, M.S., RN, manager of health education for the Komen Foundation. "On the Way to the Cure - Komen On the Go(TM) provides an opportunity to learn more about breast cancer and walk away with valuable information to take charge of your own health and develop sound breast health practices."

Each tour stop will feature the Komen On the Go pink trailer which converts into an interactive learning environment complete with computer stations, breast cancer educational materials, breast self-examination (BSE) guides, information on how to volunteer locally, registration cards for local Komen Race for the Cure(R) events and tips on how to be an effective and supportive co-survivor. At some tour stops, breast cancer survivors and health care professionals will be on-site to answer questions and share their experiences and knowledge about the disease.

The tour also features eight-foot graffiti walls which offer the opportunity to share a memory or pledge support in the fight against breast cancer. At college or university stops the signed graffiti walls remain behind to be displayed around campus as a poignant reminder of the role each person plays in eradicating breast cancer as a life-threatening disease.

The Komen Foundation launched On the Way to the Cure - Komen On the Go(TM) in 2004 as a pilot project, with stops at 10 college and university campuses. Based on the widespread success of the pilot year, the Komen Foundation expanded the tour to engage all generations in the fight against breast cancer. In 2006, the tour will visit communities and campuses to encourage thousands of women and men to begin taking charge of their breast health and learn ways they can make a difference in eradicating breast cancer as a life- threatening disease.

The tour was made possible by funds from the Val Skinner Foundation, which hosts the annual LIFE (LPGA Pros in the Fight to Eradicate Breast Cancer) Event, a charity golf event featuring the greatest women golfers in the world from the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour. Skinner, a 20-year veteran and multiple winner on the LPGA Tour, began the Val Skinner Foundation and annual LIFE Event in memory of her LPGA touring professional and close friend, Heather Farr, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 24 in 1989 and died of the disease in 1993 at the age of 28. Since 2000, the LIFE Event has raised more than $3 million for the Komen Foundation in support of its initiatives to engage young women.

On the Way to the Cure - Komen On the Go(TM) reaches people of all ages where they live, work and play, so they may learn at their own pace in a relaxed, fun setting. A complete listing of tour stops and photos from past events can be found at http://www.komen.org/go .

About the Komen Foundation

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from breast cancer at the age of 36. Today, the Foundation is an international organization with a network of more than 75,000 volunteers working through local Affiliates and events like the Komen Race for the Cure(R) to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. A global leader in the fight against breast cancer, the Foundation fulfills its mission through support of innovative breast cancer research grants, meritorious awards and educational, scientific and community outreach programs around the world. Through fiscal year 2006, the Komen Foundation, together with its Affiliate Network, corporate partners and generous donors, has invested $630 million in breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs.

For more information about breast health or breast cancer, visit the Foundation's website at http://www.komen.org/ or call the Foundation's National Toll-Free Breast Care Helpline at 1-800 I'M AWARE (1-800-462-9273).

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

CONTACT: Rebecca Gibson, +1-972-855-4319, or rgibson@komen.org , orAmber Weyer, +1-972-855-1682, or aweyer@komen.org , both of Susan G. KomenBreast Cancer Foundation

Web site: http://www.komen.org/http://www.komen.org/go

Source: PRNewswire

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