Breast Cancer Awareness Race Unites Cultures to Educate and Benefit Underserved Women in former Soviet Union
NEW YORK - October 16, 2008 - On
October 25, Muslims and Jews, Serbs and Croatians will unite to battle
a common enemy which each year kills more than 410,000 women and men
around the globe: breast cancer. Organized by the Women's Health
Empowerment Program (WHEP), an innovative overseas public movement that
encourages the early detection of breast cancer, people from 13
different cities and guest celebrities, high school students,
government officials and NGOs are expected to participate in the
first-ever Bosnia and Herzegovina Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®, as
part of the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world.
"Every year, more than 1,300 women in Bosnia and
Herzegovina are newly diagnosed with breast cancer; Hundreds are dying
because they lack knowledge, resources and support to cope with the
disease. We are thrilled to create this opportunity to celebrate life,
while also helping underprivileged women and families," said Nela
Hasic, program director for JDC's Women's Health Empowerment Program
and the event's organizer.
"A woman dies from breast cancer every 75 seconds
worldwide," said Susan G. Komen for the Cure® President and CEO Hala
Moddelmog. "Komen for the Cure is proud to expand our partnership with
JDC to launch the first-ever Bosnia-Herzegovina Race for the Cure. I
commend the Women's Health Empowerment Program for raising awareness
and needed resources to combat this deadly disease,"
Helping provide free mammogram check-ups for women throughout the region
Proceeds from the Bosnia-Herzegovina event will help provide free
mammogram check-ups for women without health insurance throughout the
region, where an estimated 1 of every 6 - over 700,000 people -- lack
insurance. The Komen Race for the Cure Series raises funds and
awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer
survivorship and honors those who have lost their battle with the
disease.
WHEP is a partnership between the American Jewish
Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), an overseas humanitarian aid
organization that works in over 70 countries and Susan G. Komen for the
Cure, the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors
and activists. The event will mark five years of partnership between
JDC and Komen in their joint efforts to promote early detection of
breast cancer in overseas communities.
The Race will coincide with WHEP's Sixth National
Breast Awareness Conference on October 24 - 25 in Sarajevo, a gathering
which unites leaders from across the region.
About Women's Health Empowerment Program (WHEP)
Established in 1995, the Women's Health Empowerment Program (WHEP) is
an innovative overseas public education movement that encourages the
early detection of breast cancer-when it is treated more easily. The
Program builds leadership, creates new services (such as support groups
and hotlines), strengthens doctor-patient communication, and
facilitates partnerships among government agencies, NGOs and the
medical and health community. WHEP projects have been carried out in
communities throughout the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, Israel,
and the Palestinian territories. In 2004, JDC partnered with Susan G.
Komen for the Cure®, and WHEP was re-launched in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In
2006, WHEP was expanded to Hungary, and in 2007, it expanded into
Russia. Komen and JDC are in the process of identifying a fourth
location in the region in which to conduct additional WHEP activities.
About the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)
Founded in 1914, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)
gives global expression to the principle that all Jews are responsible
for one another. On behalf of North America's Jewish communities, JDC
works in over 70 countries to rescue those in danger, provide relief to
those in distress, revitalize overseas Jewish communities, and help
Israel overcome the social challenges that beset its most vulnerable
citizens. JDC also provides non-sectarian disaster relief and long-term
development assistance to the world's least fortunate populations. For
more information, visit www.jdc.org.
