CHICAGO, IL – (September 22, 2015) – The Loretto Hospital will host Sisters Network® Chicago’s “Our Journey Continues” Breast Cancer Survivorship Conference, on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015 beginning at 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the hospital’s 6th floor auditorium. The educational conference serves as a platform for medical experts to offer insight on the most up-to-date news in breast cancer medical trends and research, while allowing survivors to share their encouraging journey with the disease.
“I’m wearing two hats for this event, community relations manager for The Loretto Hospital and a nine year breast cancer survivor. Knowing the huge disparities that have been identified for black women in Chicago, particularly on the west and south sides of the city, it is only fitting that Loretto Hospital take an active role in areas of the breast cancer continuum including education, screening, and follow-up,” said Angela K. Walker, community relations manager at Loretto Hospital.
The half-day symposium will serve as The Loretto Hospital’s kick-off to Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, and will feature two keynote speakers, Chicago Sun-Times Columnist and breast cancer survivor, Mary Mitchell, along with Dr. Susan Hong from the University of Chicago Breast Cancer Survivorship Program. In addition, Chicago’s-own Robin Robinson, WBBM News Radio, will serve as the moderator.
The “Our Journey Continues” conference will also comprise of a panel discussion entitled “Conversations on Breast Cancer. Talking to Live Survivorship Psychosocial Issues”, covering topics of spirituality, mental and emotional wellness, and legal issues related to survivorship with expert panelists: Brian Larsen, MA, LPC, survivorship social worker at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Zion, Illinois; the Reverend Dr. Shirley Fleming, director of faith health promotion at the University of Illinois at Chicago and co-director of The Center for Faith and Community Health Transformation at Advocate Health Care in Chicago; and Shonta Chambers, executive vice president of health equity initiatives and programs, patient advocate foundation in Hampton, Virginia. Additional program participants include: Annie Jones, president of Sisters Network Chicago; Dr. Sonia Mehta, MD, MBA, president and CEO/CMO at The Loretto Hospital; and Dr. Robert A. Winn, vice president of health affairs at the University of Illinois at Chicago Cancer Center.
In addition to hosting Sisters Network® Chicago’s Breast Cancer Survivorship Conference, The Loretto Hospital will participate in a number of activities throughout October in what will be known as the “Paint Austin Pink” breast cancer initiative to continue its commitment of breast cancer awareness and education to the community it serves. Beginning the first of October, Loretto will offer $50 mammograms all month long to qualified patients. In conjunction with Divas, Inc., which stands for Developing Intellectual Visions and Self, an organization that provides mentoring opportunities for young women throughout Chicago, Loretto Hospital is offering a Divas in Pink Mammogram Give-a-way at its 4 th Annual Pretty in Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Affair on Oct. 16, to be held at the Crystal Sky Banquets, 7941 W. 47th St., in McCook, IL. Later in October, Loretto Hospital will host its 2nd Pink Café, a free event open to the community and will offer free breast health information, blood pressure screenings, free bra fittings (including bras for women wearing prosthetics), wig fittings for women undergoing chemotherapy, opportunities for women to register for mammograms, and much more.
“The Loretto Hospital will remain committed to the communities we serve, and will continue to stand by our motto of providing Better Standards. Better Care. Better Outcomes. It is our sincere hope that women will walk away from the conference educated, empowered and active participants in their breast health,” Walker said.
For more information about the Sisters Network® Chicago’s “Our Journey Continues” Breast Cancer Survivorship Conference, or to find out how to attend this event, call 773-353-8854.
About Sisters Network® Inc.
Sisters Network® Inc. (SNI) is a leading voice and only national African American breast cancer survivorship organization in the United States. Sisters Network is governed by an elected Board of Directors and assisted by an appointed medical advisory committee. Membership is 3000, which includes more than 40 affiliate survivor run chapters nationwide. The organization’s purpose is to save lives and provide a broader scope of knowledge that addresses the breast cancer survivorship crisis affecting African American women around the country.
About The Loretto Hospital
The Loretto Hospital is a not-for-profit, community-based hospital located in Austin, the largest community in Chicago. Loretto is the only hospital in the Austin community and is the largest nongovernment employer in the Austin community. The hospital has more than 600 staff, comprising of 170 physicians and 300 nursing professionals. Although the largest percentage of the hospital’s patients resides in Austin and Garfield Park, neighboring suburban communities also utilize Loretto as a healthcare resource. For more information, please visit www.lorettohospital.org.