Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Announces New Advisory Council Representing Native Americans
Newest is Fourth Minority Advisory Council Formed by Foundation; Groups Instrumental in Addressing Breast Cancer Disparity Issues
WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 20, 2006 - The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation today announced the formation of an American Indian/Alaska Native National Advisory Council (AI/ANNAC) and new members of its three existing minority advisory councils at the 10th Biennial meeting of the Intercultural Cancer Council (ICC) in Washington, D.C.
Komen Foundation adds fourth advisory council
AI/ANNAC joins the Komen Foundation's three other advisory groups, the African American National Advisory Council (AANAC), the National Hispanic Latina Advisory Council (NHLAC) and the Asian American Pacific Islander National Advisory Council (AAPINAC) in assisting the Foundation to address disparities in breast cancer incidence, morbidity and mortality and helping to improve minority populations' access to breast health information and quality breast health care services.
The 2006 ICC meeting coincides with the 19th anniversary of National Minority Cancer Awareness Week (NMCAW), which promotes increased awareness of prevention and treatment among those segments of the population that are at greater risk of developing breast cancer and dying from it.
A milestone for the Komen Foundation
"Cancer of all types continues to have a disproportionately severe impact on minorities and the economically disadvantaged," said Nancy G. Brinker, founder of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. "Formation of the Komen Foundation's American Indian/Alaska Native National Advisory Council is a milestone event for the Foundation. Native Americans remain among the most medically underserved population groups in our country and adequate breast health and breast cancer information and services remain outside the reach of many Native American people."
AI/ANNAC members
AI/ANNAC members begin their three-year service terms for the Komen Foundation in May 2006.
AI/ANNAC members are:
- Linda Burhansstipanov (Chair), MSPH, DrPH, CHES, (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma), Pine, Colorado
- Florence Tinka Duran (Rosebud Sioux Tribe), Rapid City, South Dakota
- DeAnna Fay Finifrock, RN, PHN, MSN, (Fond du Lac), Cloquet, Minnesota
- Carolee Dodge Francis, Ed.D (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin), Iron Mountain, Michigan
- Lydia Hubbard-Pourier, MPH (Navajo -Tohono O'odham), Phoenix
- Phyllis Pettit Nassi, (Otoe Missiouria Tribe), Salt Lake City
- Nellie Sandoval, MS, (Navajo Nation), Farmington, New Mexico
- Delight Satter, MPH, (Umpqua/Kickitat of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde), Los Angeles
- Carmelita Warnego Skeeter (Citizen Nation Potawatomi Tribe), Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Arlene Wahwasuck, RN, MSN,(Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation), Horton, Kansas
- Celeste Whitewolf, JD (Confederated Tribes of Umatilla), Portland, Oregon
New members - minority advisory councils
In addition to announcing formation of AI/ANNAC at the ICC meeting, the Komen Foundation introduced new members of its three other minority advisory councils. New members begin three-year terms in May 2006.
New members of the African American National Advisory Council are:
- Betty J. Lawson, BSN, Bloomfield, New Jersey
- Michael S. Simon, M.D., MPH, Detroit
- Dianne Townsend, M.S. Jacksonville, Florida
New members of the National Hispanic Latina Advisory Council are:
- Magdalena Albomoz Bell, JD, Bethesda, Maryland
- Irene Beltran-Pistella, El Paso, Texas
- Jakeline Ramos-Calderon, White Plains, New York
- Marie Dahlstrom, Portland, Oregon
New members of the Asian American Pacific Islander National Advisory Council are:
- Roxanna Bautista, MPH, CHES, San Francisco
- Jigisha Kothari, Pine Brook, New Jersey.
- Thoa Nguyen, San Francisco
- Jane Ka'alakahikina Pang, RN, Huntington Beach, California
- Ming-der Chang, PhD. Flushing, New York.
Cheryl Kidd, MPH, director of education for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and advisor for all four councils said, "The work of our minority advisory councils is critical to Komen's ability to identify breast health and breast cancer service gaps that exist in communities and impact population groups that bear the heaviest breast cancer burden. Their input and assistance helps us plan programs, devise appropriate messaging, produce materials and attract grant applications that address and meet the needs of minority groups."
Brinker was the keynote speaker at the ICC's opening session, where she spoke about the critical need to address cancer disparities.
