Press Release

April 5, 2013

Robbins, NC- The Moore/Lee Amando la Vida/Loving Life Initiative gathered Hispanic/Latina leaders in Robbins, NC to provide scientifically based breast health community advisor training. Thursday’s training program was the result of a capacity building grant awarded to the twin county initiative by the Susan G. Komen North Carolina Triangle to the Coast Affiliate.

Fourteen Hispanic/Latinas participated in the day long training that included breast health education, information about local breast health resources and the ethics of being a community leader. Komen North Carolina Triangle to the Coast Affiliate staff members, Maritza Chirinos from El Centro Hispano in Durham and Task Force members participated in the instruction of becoming Breast Health “Promotoras” (Lay Health Advisors).

As Promotoras, the women are charged with educating local women about breast health and how early detection of breast cancer can save lives. In addition they will link women to resources for screening and other breast health services.

In the United States, underinsured Hispanic women (30% of population) with breast cancer are more than twice as likely as other women to be diagnosed in advanced stages. The disease is more difficult to treat and have satisfactory results when it is diagnosed in its advanced stages, lowering survival rates. The Lee and Moore county initiative seeks to engage the Hispanic/Latino population in the area on the topics of breast health.

“When I first founded Loving Life/Amando La Vida in 2009, if we are able to help one person understand breast cancer and its symptoms, we had a good day,” said Eli Arroyo, the organization’s founder. “Today in Robbins, these Hispanic/Latina leaders have accepted the challenge of spreading the word of education and awareness of breast cancer. We are making an incredible dream come true.”

The Moore/Lee Amando la Vida/Loving Life Initiative has planned a series of community events that have an emphasis in breast health and breast cancer awareness and early detection. The first community event is scheduled for May of 2013.

The Komen North Carolina Triangle to the Coast Affiliate funded the Moore/Lee Amando la Vida/Loving Life Initiative as part of its Capacity Building and Community Mobilizing Grants. These grants empower organizations to develop meaningful community partnerships and to create sustainable coalitions, addressing the Komen mission for effective dissemination of breast health services.

Contacts:

Eli Arroyo; Moore/Lee County Amando la Vida/Loving Life Initiative

[email protected]

Kenisha Bethea; Komen North Carolina Triangle to the Coast [email protected]

(919)493-2873