Why Des Moines, Iowa?
Des Moines was the sixth stop of the Komen Community Challenge, a 25-city tour and grassroots campaign to rally communities to Close the Gaps in research, public policy and access to quality care that make breast cancer deadlier for some women. Iowa -- with its first in the nation presidential caucus -- gave us an excellent opportunity to engage the presidential campaigns and elevate breast cancer on the national agenda.
Did You Know?
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Iowa.
Did You Know?
There are more than 95,000 uninsured women in Iowa. Uninsured women are more likely to receive a late-stage breast cancer diagnosis and are 30 to 50 percent more likely to die from the disease than women with insurance.
Public Policy Challenge
Iowa has demonstrated its commitment to reducing breast cancer incidence and mortality rates through its Care for Yourself Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. The program provides screenings and early detection services to low-income and uninsured and underinsured women in Iowa between the ages of 40 and 64. At current funding levels, however, the program provides services for less than 10 percent of eligible women. Susan G. Komen for the Cure's Iowa Affiliates are advocating for increased funding for Care for Yourself so that the program can reach more women with life-saving screenings and early detection services.
The Events
On August 16, 2007, Komen's Iowa Affiliates held a Close the Gap Rally at the Iowa State Fair. Despite inclement weather, more than 125 people turned out to hear featured speaker, Elizabeth Edwards, the wife of presidential candidate John Edwards and a breast cancer survivor. Mrs. Edwards urged the crowd to ask the presidential candidates questions about what they would do to end breast cancer forever. Other speakers included State Representative Geri Huser (D-Altoona), State Senator Pat Ward (R-West Des Moines), and the West Des Moines Calendar Gals, a group of 11 grandmothers who posed "strategically" nude for a breast cancer awareness calendar as a fundraiser.
The next morning, Komen's Iowa Affiliates hosted a Breakfast Forum at the Governor's Mansion. The special guest at this event was Mrs. Barbara Grassley, the wife of Senator Charles Grassley and a breast cancer survivor. Over 100 people attended including policymakers, women's and health care leaders, breast cancer survivors and advocates. Lisa Long, president of the Des Moines Komen Affiliate, called on policymakers to increase funding for the Care for Yourself program and make sure that every woman who needs a breast cancer screening gets one - even if she cannot afford to pay for it.
August 18, 2007 was Komen Night at the Iowa Cubs Baseball Game. Komen's Iowa Affiliates presented a special jersey to New Mexico Governor and presidential candidate Bill Richardson and he threw out first pitch on behalf of Komen. Helping to raise breast cancer awareness, volunteers distributed 2000 "K" cheering cards, 2000 pink foam fingers, and 500 t-shirts while breast cancer statistics flashed on the electronic screen.
Also during the Iowa Komen Community Challenge, Komen on the Go™, a mobile interactive learning center, visited the State Fair, the Cubs Game, Blank Park Zoo, and the Des Moines Downtown Farmers' Market. The Community Challenge events were covered by The Des Moines Register, local TV and radio, and rally footage was aired on The Rachel Ray Show.
Outcome and Next steps
The Iowa Komen Community Challenge provided breast cancer activists with important opportunities to interact with the presidential campaigns and help make sure that fighting the disease is a high priority in the next White House. These events also laid the groundwork for the official launch of Komen's I Vote for the Cure™ campaign during the New Hampshire Komen Community Challenge on November 6, 2007.
The Iowa Komen Community Challenge inspired almost 1,000 new Komen Champions for the Cure™ to sign up to educate their state and federal policymakers about breast cancer. These new volunteers - and others that will follow - will be important in forming a State Policy Collaborative to deepen the Affiliates' relationships with their legislators, work toward improved breast cancer policies, and press for increased funding for screening and early detection services. If you are interested in helping in Iowa, please let us know.
