When it comes to breast cancer, African American females have the highest death rates and poorest survival rates — by far — than any other demographic in this nation. Equally horrifying is the fact that black women contract the most aggressive and virulent forms of breast cancer, which inexplicably devours vital tissues and organs at an astonishing and devastating pace, according to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest breast cancer survivor organization. During the 16th Annual Trumpet Awards, which were held in Atlanta Jan. 11–13, the grassroots organization announced that they’ve aligned forces with one of the world’s most established women’s organizations, The LINKS, Inc. The purpose of the alliance is to help lower the rates of breast cancer in the black community, if not to eradicate the malicious disease altogether. Called the Circle of Promise, Komen for the Cure has launched an initiative whose main focus is to address the high mortality rates among black women. The LINKS, Inc. will collaborate with Komen for the Cure on a multifaceted campaign to ensure increased awareness, education, support, empowerment and mass mobilization.

“Through our alliance with the Komen Circle of Promise initiative, we hope our membership will make this fight their own and encourage other African American women to get active and empower others,” says Dr. Gwendolyn Lee, national president of the LINKS, Inc., who calls the 36 percent higher death rate among black women inexcusable and indefensible. “We want the African American community to know that they are not alone. Together we can find the cure.” – terry shropshire


For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Circle of Promise, log onto www.komen.org, or call 1-800 I’M AWARE.

Dr. Gwendolyn Lee (national president, The Links, Inc.); René Syler (co-chair, Circle of Promise); and Xernona Clayton (founder, Trumpet Awards Foundation).

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