Advocacy News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:

Jamie Ledezma, Public Policy Chair, Komen Central Valley
Jamie.ledezma@komencentralvalley.org
559-230-7724                                                                            


SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE CALIFORNIA AFFLILIATES NAME ASSEMBLY MEMBER NOREEN EVANS “LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR”

-Evans is awarded for her tenacious efforts in restoring the Every Woman Counts Program.-

SACRAMENTO – December 8, 2010  The Susan G. Komen for the Cure California Affiliates awarded the “Legislator of the Year” to Assembly member Noreen Evans for her tenacious efforts in restoring and holding accountable the Department of Health’s Every Woman Counts Program. The Every Woman Counts Program gives access to breast cancer screening for women who do not have insurance but make too much money to qualify for Medi-Cal. Over 1.2 million women qualify for the program.

On October 13, 2010, The California Affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, welcomed the news that lawmakers had agreed to restore funding for the Every Woman Counts Program, the state’s vital breast and cervical cancer screening program for low-income uninsured and underinsured women in need.

“There is no one more deserving than Assembly Member Evans,” said Jamie Ledezma, Komen Central Valley’s Public Policy Chair.. “This outcome is due in large part to her drive and persistence while many others went back to their lives forgetting the impact of not having this program in place. It’s inspiring to stand side by side with someone so committed to advocating for the women of California and their families who are also directly impacted by the increased chances of survival through early detection.”

Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s California supporters have worked diligently with lawmakers for months during the historic budget impasse in an attempt to spare the potentially life-saving program.

On January 1, the California Department of Health arbitrarily shut the doors of Every Woman Counts for the remainder of the fiscal year, which ended on June 30, 2010 and effectively eliminated future access to the program for women ages 40 to 49 – thereby cutting access to nearly half of the women typically screened by the program. The program remained closed until October due to the budget impasse. During that 10 month span, Komen estimates more than 290,000 women will have gone without cancer screenings, including those whose undetected cancers are growing.  Ledezma added:  “We are honored to acknowledge Evans for pushing Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and lawmakers to make the right decision to restore funds to reopen Every Woman Counts and provide lifesaving mammograms. The Komen Affiliates applaud Governor Schwarzenegger and lawmakers for honoring their commitment to women in California .”

About the Central Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®Carolyn Jorgensen founded the Susan G. Komen Central Valley Race for the Cure® in 1999.  As a breast cancer survivor, Carolyn’s desire was to bring breast cancer survivors together, educate about the importance of early detection and raise funds for screening, treatment and research.    Diagnosed with recurrent breast cancer in 2005, Carolyn battled the disease courageously until she passed away in 2007.  She will always be remembered for her efforts which have made a tremendous impact on residents of Fresno County.  Since its inception in 1999, the Central Valley Affiliate has invested $1.8 million in local programs of education, screening and treatment.  Over $500,00 has supported the Komen National Award and Research Program.

For more information about Komen Central Valley and available resources visit www.komencentralvalley.org or call 559-229-4255.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                              

Sharon Johnson, Executive Director
Central Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
559-229-4255
sjohnson@komencentralvalley.org

CALIFORNIA BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS AND ADVOCATES CELEBRATE

REOPENING OF EVERY WOMAN COUNTS SCREENING PROGRAM

SACRAMENTO – December 8, 2010 The California Affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® welcomed the news that the California Department of Public Health officially reopened the Every Woman Counts Program on December 1, 2010. Every Woman Counts is the state’s vital breast and cervical cancer screening program for low-income uninsured and underinsured women in need. Komen for the Cure’s California supporters worked diligently with lawmakers during the historic budget impasse to reinstate funding. Restoration of funding for the potentially life-saving program was recently announced.

 “The seven California Komen Affiliates and our supporters have worked diligently with lawmakers for months during the historic budget impasse in an attempt to spare the potentially life-saving program”, said Sharon Johnson, Executive Director for Komen Central Valley.

 December 1, 2010 marks the first day of new enrollments to Every Woman Counts, since January 1, 2010 when enrollment was halted due to lack of funding. Nearly 300,000 women went without screening during that 10 month period. Komen Affiliates support the California Department of Public Health in the reopening of Every Woman Counts. Women of the age 40 and older should call 1-800-511-2300 to determine eligibility.