Reflections from Dorothy Gibbons after watching Houston Texans Breast Cancer Awareness game...
Watching the NFL players
Thursday night decked out in their splashes of pink color made me pause. On the
screen were big brawly men, running up and down the field, smacking into each
other, sweat and testosterone dripping, yet there was no missing the hot pink
shoes, gloves and helmet linings.
The pink of course is to
generate awareness about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a major
miracle that the NFL adopted this cause and color but the even greater miracle
is that all the advertising last night supported the single action women can take
in this battle against breast cancer – have an annual mammogram.
People often ask me what has
changed in the breast cancer arena over these 28 years that I’ve been running
The Rose. My first answer is “people talk about breast cancer now.” They didn’t 28 years ago. Women didn’t want to admit to having it, many
folks didn’t realize it ran in the family because Grandmother or Aunt Jane
never talked about it, some folks thought it was contagious. The list goes on
and on.
Today, people are more open,
more willing to share their journey. Pink
Ribbons are displayed on windows, hang from buildings and bracelets. NFL
players wear pink.
The other thing that hasn’t
changed is mammography is still the gold standard and early detection equates
to longer survival. Yes, treatment is
better, much better. Yes, we have more
advanced imaging procedures, different diagnostic tools.
But having that annual
mammogram can make all the difference in the world in living a long and active
life. It is a decision every woman needs
to make; it is truly something she can do for herself.
Thousands of women understand
the importance of annual mammograms but don’t have the insurance or resources
to have one. That is when The Rose
levels the playing field. Our programs
make it possible for an uninsured woman to have her screening; she has the same
advantages of the insured women. She has the same chance at survival and at
winning in this game of life.
One other thing that is
different today as opposed to 28 years ago:
The Rose exists and is serving more women in more counties than ever
before.
