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October 3, 2004 Alisa Mosley: 240-350-7531
Breast Cancer Resource Committee Gala Will Feature Atlanta Breast Cancer Mass Choir In Concert
Gala to celebrate successes in the journey to end breast cancer
(Washington, D.C.) The Breast Cancer Resource Committee (BCRC) will celebrate its 15th Anniversary in the journey to end breast cancer, Saturday, October 16 at the Park Hyatt Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C., 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. The gala celebration will feature the Atlanta Breast Cancer Survivors Mass Choir. The choir is comprised of more than 90 multi-racial breast cancer survivors from across North Georgia.
Based in Washington, D.C., the Breast Cancer Resource Committee is a beacon of hope for African-American women. BCRC is dedicated to reducing the incidence and mortality from breast cancer among African-American women, particularly those women who have little or no access to adequate health care and treatment.
“We are pleased, proud, and excited to have the Atlanta Breast Cancer Survivors Mass Choir join us in celebrating our 15th anniversary,” said Zora Kramer Brown, BCRC founder and a fourth generation breast cancer survivor. “Their faith journey through song provides beautiful and compelling testimony for breast cancer survivors and for women currently battling this devastating disease,” Brown said.
“The journey continues for BCRC,” Brown continued. “We celebrate our 15 year anniversary knowing that there is still an immense need in the African-American community for increased education and understanding about breast cancer risk factors, the importance of breast cancer screening and early detection, and the availability of successful treatment options and support,” she said.
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BCRC Release
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Breast Cancer is the most common cancer among African-American women. The rate of newly diagnosed breast cancer cases is about 13% lower than the rate of diagnosis among Caucasian women; however, the number of deaths from breast cancer is higher among African-American women than Caucasian women despite a lower incidence rate. Medical experts believe this differential may be due, in part, to later stage diagnosis, and a greater likelihood of African-American women being diagnosed with more aggressive tumors that are more difficult to treat. According to Brown, “We see a trend with younger African-American women being diagnosed with breast cancer, at ages where screening is not recommended, which may explain the difference in the death rate. Clearly, BCRC will continue to advocate for more and better research targeting African-American women, with a focus on younger women.”
The BCRC 15th Anniversary Gala will honor individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the ongoing fight to end breast cancer. The honorees include Dr. Harold Freeman, director of the, Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention and past chair of the President’s Cancer Panel; Dr. LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr., Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery, Howard University and chair of the President’s Cancer Panel; Dr. Steve Patierno, executive director, George Washington University Cancer Institute and Dr. Vivian Pinn, director, Office of Research on Women’s Health, National Institutes of Health.
BCRC's is nationally recognized as a leading advocacy and information resource for African-American women’s social and service groups. The Committee's advocacy and education efforts, promoting early detection, diagnosis and treatment, have played a pivotal role in shaping legislation and national policy in support of increased funding and programs to specifically address the needs of African American women.
