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by
Dan Perkins Communities
grow best when their members are healthy and
strong. Occasionally, growth occurs
when a helping hand is extended from another
community. The National Black Coalition
of Federal Aviation Employees (NBCFAE) is
dedicated to promoting the advancement of African
Americans and other minorities within the Federal
Aviation Administration and in the field of
aviation. diversityinbusiness.com
is pleased to maintain an affiliation with NBCFAE
because the organization consistently demonstrates positive and proactive leadership
within government, the aviation community, the
black community and the nation
at-large. There
are times when challenges faced by one individual
member moves an entire organization into action.
That occurred this year when Nadine Torregano
developed breast cancer. Torregano
is an Assistant Air Traffic Manager at the FAA's
Flight Service Station in
Fort
Worth
,
Texas
;
and a cherished member and former Aeronautical
Center/Southwest Region president of the NBCFAE.
Her struggles to combat the disease while
maintaining her professional and Coalition
responsibilities have inspired everyone who
becomes aware of them. Torregano
continues to battle the disease, but she is grateful for
the support and
prayers she has received from coalition
members. She is also grateful for the
support she received from Sisters Network, Inc., a
survivors run organization that is committed to
helping African American Cancer Survivors.
The organization was founded by Karen Jackson,
the national president and an 8 year survivor.
Founded
in 1994, as a 501(c)3 organization, Sisters
Network, Inc. is the first national organization
to address the needs of African American breast
cancer survivors. Under Jackson's
leadership, the organization has grown to over 35
chapters with over 2,000 members and associate
members. Sisters Network is committed to
increasing local and national awareness of the
impact of breast cancer on the African American
community and measures African American women can
take to protect their health. Although
the risk of breast cancer for all women increases
with age, the incidence of breast cancer among
African American women under the age of 45 is
higher than that of white women. African
American women are more likely to be diagnosed
with more advanced stages of the disease than
other women. Even more alarming is the fact
that some researchers have found evidence
suggesting that breast cancer in
African American women may be biologically more
aggressive than in white American women.
Unfortunately, the number of breast cancer deaths among
African American women is rising. There
are a number of variables that put all women at
risk of developing breast cancer. Those
variables include age, heredity and genetic
factors, long menstrual cycles, never having
children, hormones, a personal or family history of breast
or ovarian cancer, and environmental factors. Educating
the African American community about the risks of
breast cancer is a key part of the mission of
Sisters Network, Inc. The organization recommends
women take the following steps to increase their
chances of early detection:
-
Monthly
breast self-exam starting at age 20.
This exam should be done just after one's menstrual
period, or for post-menopausal women, the same
day each month. Reportedly, most women
discover breast masses during monthly breast
self-exams.
-
Clinical
breast examination by a trained medical
professional every 2-3 years beginning at age
20, and annually for women over 40.
-
Annual
mammography screening for women over 35,
however, if your mother or sister has had
breast cancer, more frequent mammograms may be
required.
To
support the work Sisters Network within the black community, NBCFAE gave the organization a donation of
$36,000. The
donation was given through a fund established by
the NBCFAE. The fund is named in honor of
Nadine Torregano. Fortunately,
Nadine has insurance that enables her to receive proper medical
attention, but Coalition members wanted their
donation to help women that lack the funds and insurance
needed for routine screenings and medical care.
Mamie
Mallory, National President of the NBCFAE was
eager to support the initiative. "It is important for the Coalition to continue to reach out to
those within the community who are in need and to
those who are doing important work," said
Mallory. Jackson was grateful for the support
and said it was the first time Sisters Network
had received a sizeable donation from another black organization.
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