Proclamation Honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Montgomery County is fortunate to have many partners across various disciplines that raise awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer as well as provide services to those who have been diagnosed with the disease. Today it was my privilege to recognize a few of them with a proclamation on behalf of the Council.

One of the recipients was the County’s own Women’s Cancer Control Program which provides breast and cervical cancer screening to low-income women. Also receiving proclamations were that programs partners, Adventist HealthCare, Holy Cross Hospital and Suburban Hospital (see my October 6 post about Key to the Cure).

We also recognized the Montgomery County firefighters and their union for the pink shirt campaign which allows firefighters to wear pink t-shirts emblazoned with “Fighting for a Cure.” throughout the month as an optional part of their regular uniform. Included among the firefighters was Marshall Moneymaker who lost three sisters to breast cancer and now dedicates much of his time to raising awareness and money for organizations fighting the disease. He is known for wearing all pink, including the pink turn-out gear he received from fellow firefighters.

More than 600 Montgomery County women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Although Montgomery County has the highest incidence of breast cancer in the state, it also has the lowest mortality rate. That’s due in part to the fact that approximately 2,500 uninsured women receive free mammograms in Montgomery County.

Have you had your mammogram this year?