Spring 2008
Transcription
Spring 2008
FRONTLINE TM On the front line in the battle against breast cancer. 2008 Income Tax Check-Off Campaign Encourages Funding of Crucial Research Eight Pennsylvania researchers selected to receive grants T he 2008 Income Tax Check-Off for Breast Cancer Research campaign was launched at the Penn State College of Medicine at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, the research home for Judith Weisz, MB, BChir and David Feith, Ph.D., two of the eight scientists selected to receive grants this year. Deputy Secretary of Taxation for the PA Department of Revenue, Robert Freedenberg, and grantee David Feith, Ph.D. spoke on the importance and significance of the Income Tax Check-Off during the event. Pennsylvania taxpayers have contributed over $2 million for breast cancer research through the PBCC’s state Income Tax Judith Weisz, MB, Check-Off since its inception in BChir uses the wall 1997 -- just by checking line 35 poster to explain her on their PA-40 income tax research. Right: David form. The Pennsylvania Breast Feith, Ph.D., another of Cancer Coalition works to the eight researchers selected as grantees promote this popular check-off through the Income Tax refund option each year, with Check-Off, speaks about every penny raised through the his research. check-off going directly to fund breast cancer research. Pat Halpin-Murphy, PBCC President & Founder, chairs the PA Cancer Control, Prevention and Research Advisory Board’s Income Tax Check-Off committee which recommends how the funds collected through the check-off should be distributed. PBCC Board Secretary Sandy Christianson attended the campaign kick-off event at Penn State College of Medicine. Her comments underscore the importance of the Income Tax Check-Off. “Winning the battle to find a cure for breast cancer may well depend on the essential research done by a scientist sponsored by grants generated from the check-off,” she said. “We urge all who can to join in this program and support this essential ground level and, perhaps, ground-breaking research.” Other researchers selected to receive grants this year are Stella Somiari, Ph.D. of Windber Research Institute, Raghbir Athwal, Ph.D. of Temple University, Marius Sudol, Ph.D. of Geisinger Clinic, Barry Cooperman of the University of Pennsylvania, and Judy Quong, Ph.D .and Andrew Quong, Ph.D. of Thomas Jefferson University. Please join the thousands of Pennsylvanians who have donated their refund to breast cancer research. The deadline to file your taxes is April 15 -- if you haven’t yet filed, don’t forget to check yes on your PA-40! SPRING 2008 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Check line 35 on your PA-40 income tax form to contribute. Learn how the PBCC’s Patient Advocate can be a voice for breast cancer patients and their families. -page 4- When is the PBCC coming to your community? Find out inside! -page 7- ALERT! The PBCC does not, and never will, make telephone solicitation calls. If you receive calls asking for money from someone claiming to be with the PA Breast Cancer Coalition or “the breast cancer coalition”...it is NOT the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. Please report any and all such solicitation calls to Executive Director Heather Hibshman at heather@pabreastcancer.org or 800-377-8828 x102. FRONTLINE President’s Corner PENNSYLVANIA BREAST CANCER COALITION www.pabreastcancer.org Toll Free 800.377.8828 TM Pat Halpin-Murphy A quarterly publication of the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition Coverage for a Second Opinion 1-800-377-8828 www.pabreastcancer.org Statewide Headquarters 344 North Reading Road Ephrata, PA 17522 Pat Halpin-Murphy President & Founder Leslie Stiles Honorary Chair Leslie Anne Miller, Esq. Executive Vice President Heather Hibshman Executive Director HONORARY BOARD Bernard Fisher, MD Mark Pasquerilla Representative John M. Perzel Michele M. Ridge Senator Harris Wofford BOARD OF DIRECTORS Sandra Christianson Sandy Cray Deborah Freer John Glick, MD Gary Gurian Bonnie Harr G. June Hoch Andrea Mastro, Ph.D. Judi Nowak Denise Robison Alice Sanders Jeanne Schmedlen Mary Simmonds, MD, FACP Bonnie Squires Pat Stewart Norman Wolmark, MD PBCC STAFF Carol Burkholder Kim Eubanks Jennifer Fetich Tricia Grove Brian Hand Sarah Lightman Dolores Magro Frontline is published as a quarterly communique for the information of the supporters and friends of the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or distributed without permission from the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition. Amy Collins, Editor amy@pabreastcancer.org 2 by Dr. Linda Rhodes & Pat Halpin-Murphy Y ou may be faced with deciding whether you need surgery or choosing one type of surgery over others. Deciding what approach is best for you, especially among the different kinds of mastectomies available today, may be one of the toughest decisions you’ll ever make. Getting a second opinion from another physician may be a very wise move. In fact, some insurance plans actually require a second opinion. Before you see a second doctor, ask your insurer if the plan will cover the costs of a second opinion. If you are in a managed care plan, you will likely be referred to another physician within the plan’s network. Medicare will cover second opinions and will even consider paying for a third opinion if the first and second opinions are not the same. Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance program also provides coverage for second opinions. If you are enrolled in the ACCESS Plus+ program, you do have a right to a second opinion. According to the program’s handbook, you must call your Primary Care Physician (PCP) or the Access Plus+ toll free Helpline at 1-800-543-7633 for a referral if your PCP or a specialist recommends that you have non-emergency surgery and you want a second opinion. The second opinion should provide you with information on the pros and cons of the treatment under consideration. If you are a member of the HealthChoices program, the contractor must provide a second opinion from a qualified health care provider within the network at no cost to the member. If you cannot find a qualified health care provider in the network, they must assist you with finding such a provider outside the network at no cost to you. For answers to additional questions, consult the insurance guidebook. Download the book in its entirety on the PBCC’s website. www.pabreastcancer.org Volunteers Save the PBCC Over $20,000! F or a statewide nonprofit organization it is often a challenge to find dedicated people to volunteer their time. However, thanks to the 168 people who volunteered for the PBCC in 2007, the organization celebrated another successful year. Ac c o rd i n g t o He a t h e r Hi b s h m a n , P B C C E xe c u t i v e Director, volunteers did everything Volunteers register attendees at from reading and reviewing a new the PA Breast Cancer Coalition Annual Conference book, CD, or DVD for Friends Like Me care packages, presenting or moderating a workshop at the PBCC Annual Conference, to staffing an information table at a local community event, or speaking at an exhibit opening. Pat Frysinger, a PBCC volunteer and survivor said, “I really enjoy talking to other people at these health fairs. Maybe I might just lead a person to the right place.” A recent study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated a volunteer’s time to be equivalent to $17.48 per hour in PA. That means that volunteers have saved the PBCC $20,836.16. “We’d like to thank each of our volunteers for their continued support of the PBCC,” said Hibshman. “Because of their hard work throughout the year, we were able to further our goal of finding a cure for breast cancer now...so our daughters won’t have to. We look forward to a successful 2008!” TM FRONTLINE - SPRING 2008 Top 10 Volunteers in 2007 Dennis Eubanks Lorie Gentile John Burkholder Pat Frysinger Clint Hibshman Gail Hibshman Cheryl Delsite Ryan Phillips Karen Byers Glenn Hibshman Thank you for all of your help! Survivor PENNSYLVANIA BREAST CANCER COALITION www.pabreastcancer.org Toll Free 800.377.8828 Spotlight Mollie Bronstein Illuminating the lives of breast cancer survivors Dauphin County Harrisburg, PA Mollie and her husband Richard in a family photo ollie Bronstein has owned and operated Mollie B Being Strong Distinctively Different Fine Jewelry in Harrisburg since 1995. She and her husband Richard, After I made all those decisions, we called the a pharmacist at Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill, children together. As we sat around the kitchen have been married for 54 years, and they have five table, I saw that my husband’s face was ashen and the kids were biting their lips to keep from crying. I children. thought, “Well, someone in this family has to be strong and I guess that’s going to be me.” And I was strong. I was. Her Diagnosis I had tremendous support because of this loving family. They were here for me and they were even years ago I went to Tristan Associates for my wonderful. Sometimes my husband held me while annual mammogram and was diagnosed with I cried, and then I would feel better and know I was breast cancer. They called me into a room and going to get through it. showed me what they were seeing but by that time I I tried a support group but it upset me too much. had worked myself into a frazzle. They suggested I I cried so for the young mothers who had breast let them biopsy the lump but I wanted to see a cancer and I just couldn’t deal with that. Word specialist and talk with my family first. My husband spread about what I was going through and many and I decided not to tell the children until we knew survivors came into my store to share their stories for certain. and to offer words of encouragement. They would I had heard good things about Dr. Angela Soto say, “I did it and you can too.” I want to be that Hamlin so the next day I asked her to read the voice of encouragement too, for other women. Go mammogram and make recommendations. Dr. Soto for that mammogram! Going for that mammogram Hamlin reassured me that the lump was so miniscule that it was remarkable that it was even discovered. every year saved my life. She also recommended a biopsy, which I had. The cancer was early stage and I had several options. I could have a lumpectomy or a Attitude of Gratitude mastectomy and I was given much material to read Having breast cancer has given me an attitude of and think about. Dr. Soto Hamlin encouraged me gratitude. I’m 72 years old and I thank God for to go for a second opinion and said, “This is your every day He’s given me. When you’re told you have life. A second opinion may help you to make up cancer, you think it’s a death sentence. But once you your mind about which route to take.” begin to think rationally, when you go for treatment, I got the second opinion at Johns Hopkins, and you can tell yourself they are killing the bad things. everyone there was impressed that Tristan had found I would sit for hours with the chemo dripping and such a small lump. They wouldn’t recommend which thank God for letting me sit there that day, letting treatment I should have. I had to decide that for me see another grandchild being born. And now a myself. I chose lumpectomy, followed by radiation great-grandchild is with us and I’m very grateful. I and chemo. After talking with my sister, who is a still have that “attitude of gratitude.” nurse, I decided to be treated in Harrisburg so that I would be close to home. M S FRONTLINE - SPRING 2008 “Word spread about what I was going through and many survivors came into my store to share their stories and to offer words of encouragement. They would say, ‘I did it and you can too.’ ” - Mollie Bronstein 3 www.pabreastcancer.org PENNSYLVANIA BREAST CANCER COALITION Penn State University Hosts “67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania” Traveling Photo Exhibit Being the Voice for Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors T Julia Trogele, Mimi Barash Coppersmith, Sandy Cray, Heather Hibshman, and Evelyn Lewis pose for a photo after the opening The PBCC’s traveling photo exhibit, “67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania,” opened at the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State University in February. For the thousands in attendance at the Lady Lions game, the exhibit served as a testament to the strength and courage of those who have battled breast cancer. A reception followed the Lady Lions game, featuring Centre County exhibit participant and breast cancer survivor Mimi Barash Coppersmith, PBCC Lehigh Valley Vice President Sandy Cray, PBCC Executive Director Heather Hibshman, and Penn State Lady Lions’ basketball coach Coquese Washington. Thanks to all those who worked to bring the exhbit to Penn State University for this special opportunity. Cheers to the East Stroudsburg Wine and Spirits Store for Donating the Most for the Second Year in a Row PBCC Monroe County Captain Honi Grasing, Store Manager David Bonser, and PBCC volunteer Mary Jo Joyce toast the patrons of the Wine & Spirits store for giving so generously. For the second consecutive year, Wine & Spirits Store #4510 in East Stroudsburg donated the most money -- $149.10 during the month of October as part of the PA Liquor Control Board’s donation drive for the PBCC. By placing a box at the cash register at each Wine & Spirits store in the state, over $13,000 was collected and donated to the PBCC this year. Thanks to the LCB for their continued support! 4 Toll Free 800.377.8828 he PBCC advocates for women through our legislative efforts which have resulted in dramatic changes in insurance coverage in Pennsylvania, screenings and free treatment for uninsured women. We advocate in another way too, on a more individual basis. Many women are not aware of the services available through the state, so we help direct them to agencies and services that can help them. Dolores Magro Then there are the women who might Director of Patient otherwise fall through the cracks, such as the woman Advocacy whose doctor is prescribing a test, a prescription, or a procedure that her insurance does not cover. Or the one whose employer is pressuring her about the time she will need to take off from work for treatment and recovery. Or the one who doesn’t fit the criteria of available services, because she is insured but the deductible is high. Over the past few months, many women have called for help: - The woman diagnosed with breast cancer at a time when she was one month away from her new job and health insurance, and is an undocumented individual. - The woman on disability whose “When you are uninsured, husband’s job barely pays the rent and ANYTHING you can do to other household expenses and who provide yourself with some pays $20 a month just to keep up peace of mind regarding your with last year’s hospital bills. health is such a blessing. - The many women without When you are a cancer insurance who need mammograms, survivor and uninsured, you either for screening or diagnostic already know what a huge purposes. risk you are taking, but - The retired woman who just completed chemo and radiation and sometimes you don't have any who has been prescribed medications other choice. Knowing that that cost $500 a month. there are programs like this, - The woman whose insurance staffed by professionals such covers her breast cancer treatment but as yourself and sensitive owes $4,500 in co-pays and is medical staff, allows the starting the new year with a $1,500 uninsured woman to feel deductible. empowered in the midst of - The daughter who contacted us difficult circumstances.” on her mother’s behalf. Her mother’s - Virginia insurance policy includes a $2,500 deductible. The timing of the Greensburg, PA diagnosis and treatment overlapped into two years, so she almost automatically owed $5,000 and the hospital is demanding payment. - The woman who just got out of the hospital and was terminated from the job she held for 25 years because of time needed off for treatment. The PBCC exists to educate and advocate for all of these women - and men - who need someone to listen, understand, and relate to their situations. Some breast cancer patients call us out of confusion; others out of fear, anger, or sadness. Some just need a phone number and guidance for the HealthyWoman program. Others need an ear to listen, a voice to reassure, and an advocate. If you or someone you know is in need of a breast cancer advocate, please contact me at dolores@pabreastcancer.org or by phone at 610-622-3390. FRONTLINE - SPRING 2008 www.pabreastcancer.org PENNSYLVANIA BREAST CANCER COALITION Toll Free 800.377.8828 Oncotype DX Test Reduces Need for Chemotherapy by Kevin R. Fox, MD Medical Director, Rena Rowan Breast Cancer Center Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Kevin R. Fox, MD F or the past ten years, patients with “low risk” breast cancers, characterized by having estrogen receptors, and no involvement of the lymph nodes, have been treated with both chemotherapy and hormonal therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence and to maximize the chance of cure. Unfortunately, very few patients really require chemotherapy, as the benefits of chemotherapy only apply to a small percentage of patients. A test to determine which patients truly need chemotherapy would be ideal. In December 2004, Dr. Soon Paik and his colleagues from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) reported their findings regarding the Oncotype DX assay, a novel method of evaluating breast cancer tissue for purposes of determining whether patients with low risk cancers required chemotherapy, or could be treated adequately with hormonal therapy alone. Beginning in January of 2004, we began to use this assay with increasing frequency at the University of Pennsylvania. After two years of ordering this assay on greater and greater numbers of patients, we decided to evaluate how the Oncotype assay had changed our practice patterns, and to find out whether we had given fewer patients chemotherapy as we had hoped. With the help of several medical students and residents, we compiled a list of all of the patients with lymph-node negative and hormone receptor positive breast cancers seen during 2005 and 2006, evaluated which of those patients had the Oncotype assay performed, and how we treated them. We compared this treatment pattern to patients we evaluated during 2003, who had the same types of breast cancer, but before the Oncotype assay was available. We found that we performed the Oncotype assay on approximately 124 patients, of a total of 203 patients who would have qualified for the test. The reasons that some patients did not have the test performed were fairly clear: some patients and doctors did not feel comfortable with this new test, some older patients would not have allowed chemotherapy to be given anyway, and some younger patients insisted on chemotherapy regardless of the results of the test. Some patients were concerned that insurance would not cover the cost of the test. The results were very interesting. Back in 2003, before the test was available, we gave chemotherapy to over half of the patients -56% to be exact. After the test was available, and after we evaluated how we treated the 124 patients who had the test performed, we found that we gave chemotherapy to only 26% of the patients. Whenever the patient had a “low score” we almost never gave them chemotherapy (patients with low scores are felt to receive no benefit from chemotherapy), while whenever a patient had a “high score” we almost always gave the patients chemotherapy with few exceptions. About half of our patients had “low scores”, so it makes sense that we would reduce our use of chemotherapy by about half, or 50%. Other medical centers have done similar evaluations and have come up with similar results. The Oncotype assay, when used in appropriate patients, has reduced our usage of chemotherapy by approximately half in patients with breast cancers which contain hormone receptors and which do not involve the lymph nodes. As these so-called “node negative, hormone receptor positive” breast cancers are very common, the Oncotype assay has allowed many patients to be spared chemotherapy that they do not need. FRONTLINE - SPRING 2008 “The Oncotype assay, when used in appropriate patients, has reduced our usage of chemotherapy by approximately half in patients with breast cancers which contain hormone receptors and which do not involve the lymph nodes.” -- Kevin R. Fox, MD 5 Grassroots Partners PENNSYLVANIA BREAST CANCER COALITION www.pabreastcancer.org Toll Free 800.377.8828 Across the State E Patt presents a check to Heather Hibshman, PBCC Executive Director veryone needs a little pampering once in awhile, which is why Pamper Me Please, a day spa and gift shop in Ephrata held a silent auction to benefit the PBCC. Owner Patt Spangler raised $1724 for the PBCC through her efforts. Thanks to Patt and the patrons of the Pamper Me Please silent auction for their generosity! I n memory of their past president, Tony Rubel, who passed away last year, the Carbon County Art League donated $640 to the PBCC from their October art show. Rubel served as president for five years and supported the cause of breast cancer throughout his life. He organized last year’s event for the PBCC. Thank you to the Carbon County Art League and to Tony for his commitment to the cause. Marta Rubel, PBCC program director Jennifer Fetich, CCAL treasurer David Lautt, gallery diretor and CCAL secretary Sandi Crum, CCAL trustee Adam Sobas, and CCAL president Marian Shuler gather for a check presentation. W olf Furniture in Lancaster celebrated fall and b re a s t cancer awareness by selling pumpkins to raise money for the PBCC! The fruit of their labor was a $635 donation. Nita Burkey, an employee and breast cancer survivor, Carol Burkholder, PBCC Office Manager, and Doug Plavchak, Wolf Furniture Store Manager, pose for a photo on the furniture show room floor. Thanks Wolf Furniture for your creative way to support breast cancer awareness in PA! 6 MAKE HOPE GROW... P enn State Lady Lions took the to court to Think Pink and benefit the PBCC. A sea of pink filled the stands at the Bryce Jordan Center when the Lady Lions and their opponent Iowa tipped off for the 2nd Lady Lions Think Pink Day. Over $12,000 was raised for the PBCC with totals still being tabulated. Special thanks to the Lady Lions team and Coquese Washington, Loren Crispell, Jenn James, Amy O’Neill, Rachel Rito, and event sponsor Mimi Barash Coppersmith for their hard work to make Penn State and the PBCC very proud! The Nittany Lion is proud in pink. Left: The pep band performance got the crowd into the game. T he Keystone Nationals Select Baseball Club rallied to honor the mother of one of their teammates who is a breast cancer survivor. They raised $2000 through a pledge fundraiser in honor of Lynn Kohl of Duncannon center) whose son plays for the 15U team. Lynn chose the PBCC as the charity she wanted to receive the donation because of the support she received during her battle with breast cancer. Thanks to the club, the players, and Lynn for taking the field for the PBCC! S ince it was such a slam dunk last year, the Upper Merion High School Girls’ Basketball Team invited the PBCC to their school once again to promote breast cancer awareness among the students, faculty, and staff of their school. They sold t-shirts and donated p roc e e d s t o t h e P B C C ! The basketball team will partner with the Girls’ Soccer Team for a double dose of pink this year -selling t-shirts again in the spring for a soccer game scheduled for later in the year. Thanks for your continued support! Above: Cheerleaders cheer on the Girls’ Basketball team. Left: The team poses with PBCC staffers Dolores Magro and Tricia Grove, and their coaches. Plant the seed in your community and watch it grow statewide - become a Grassroots Partner. To find out how, call Sarah at 717-721-2580 x107 or email sarah@pabreastcancer.org FRONTLINE - SPRING 2008 www.pabreastcancer.org Minor League Ballparks Play Host to Statewide Breast Cancer Homerun Derby Volunteers Needed for All Locations The Pennsylvania Association o f Community Bankers has teamed up with minor league teams across the state to Take a Swing Against Breast Cancer. This month-long homerun derby is going to criss-cross Pennsylvania in July -bringing the opportunity to take the field at your favorite minor league ball park, meet your favorite players, and have a great time. To make all of this happen we will need lots of help! We need at least 20 volunteers for every ballpark we will visit, so if you want to lend a hand and spend a day in the sun in July to help the PBCC, please contact Heather Hibshman, at heather@pabreastcancer.org for more information. Many sponsorship opportunities are still available - Coming to Your Community PENNSYLVANIA BREAST CANCER COALITION for $7,500 you can be the sponsor for one of the ballpark events, or for $30,000 you can be a statewide sponsor. To learn more about these opportunities, please contact Kristine Warner, PA Bankers Association, at 717-231-7447 or kristine@pacb.org. And if you’d like to participate in the Homerun Derby, you are in luck! The cost for a team is $1,000, which includes 10 pitches for each team member, jerseys, hats, baseballs, and a souvenir team photo. Kids packages and other opportunities are also available check the special website www.pahomerunderby.org for more information! Special thanks to PACB President Frank Pinto for a grand-slam of an idea that will make for an extraordinary event! April 16-26 Toll Free 800.377.8828 67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania Western Pocono Community Library Monroe County May 3 Paint the Rink Pink: A Hat Trick Against Breast Cancer Twin Ponds East, Harrisburg, Dauphin County May 3-4 Doneckers Pretty in Pink Weekend Doneckers Fashion Store & Restaurant, Ephrata, Lancaster County May 4 Harrisburg Senators Breast Cancer Awareness Day City Island, Harrisburg, Dauphin County May 11 Reading Phillies Breast Cancer Awareness Day First Energy Stadium, Berks County June 5-15 June 14 July 67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania Coventry Mall, Chester County Chrome in the Canyon Harley Raffle Drawing Cox’s Northern Tier Harley-Davidson, Mansfield Tioga County Take a Swing Against Breast Cancer Many Locations Throughout PA For more information on upcoming events, visit www.pabreastcancer.org/events Dates & Locations for Take A Swing Against Breast Cancer July 1 - York Revolution July 2 - State College Spikes July 8 - Reading Phillies July 11 - Erie Seawolves July 15 - Harrisburg Senators July 18 - Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs July 20 - Altoona Curve July 22 - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Yankees July 26 - Lancaster Barnstormers More dates and locations may be announced! Doneckers Promises to be Pretty in Pink for the PBCC in May Cocktail Party and Fashion Show to Promote Awareness Doneckers in Ephrata will play host to a weekend of fun and fashion in pink for the PBCC. A cocktail party at Doneckers on Saturday, May 3 from 2-4 pm will feature raffle prizes, pink drinks, pink displays, and modeling that will be sure to get you thinking pink for spring. On Sunday, May 4 at 1 pm, you’re invited to a fashion show luncheon where the top five mother/daughter teams for the Makeover for Mom contest will model the latest Doneckers fashions. The winner of the contest will be announced at the fashion show. For $40 per person or $75 for two, you get a fabulous lunch from Doneckers Restaurant, a fashion show, and opportunities for fabulous raffle prizes. It is a perfect opportunity to celebrate spring and Mothers’ Day! Special thanks to Mr. Donecker and Amanda Dietrich for their hard work on this effort! For more information, please email heather@pabreastcancer.org. If you’d like to purchase tickets for the event, call Doneckers at 717-738-9500. FRONTLINE - SPRING 2008 7 www.pabreastcancer.org PENNSYLVANIA BREAST CANCER COALITION Toll Free 800.377.8828 Free Treatment for Breast Cancer Available in Pennsylvania PA Breast Cancer Coalition Promotes Program Statewide T Susan George, PA Department of Health; Bonnie Squires, PBCC Board Vice President for Development; Pat Halpin-Murphy, PBCC President & Founder; and Trudy Johnson, Policy Program Manager/Director, Division of Health Services, PA Department of Public Welfare at the free treatment seminar. PLEASE NOTE The contact information for the PA Breast Cancer Coalition has changed. Please update your records to reflect the change. 344 North Reading Road Ephrata, PA 17522 717-721-2580 phone 717-721-2585 fax You can make a difference by donating all or part of your state income tax return to fund breast cancer research! Address Service Requested 344 North Reading Road Ephrata, PA 17522 he Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition is spreading the word about the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Program here in Pennsylvania. The program is available to women without “While I was going insurance who are diagnosed with breast cancer. Unfortunately, there through diagnosis are many women and their and treatment the second time, I lost healthcare providers who are not my business and with yet aware of the program and its that, my insurance benefit to breast cancer patients. That is why the PBCC is coverage. My medical expenses for breast conducting seminars across the cancer treatment are state to spread the word about the covered through the free treatment program. The first Breast and Cervical seminar was held in the Cancer Prevention Philadelphia area and hosted by GlaxoSmithKline. Healthcare and Treatment providers and advocates met to Program.” Program d i s c u s s c u r re n t h o s p i t a l - Gina Connors, participation in the program and Philadelphia any obstacles that they could identify to full participation. The next seminar will be held in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area in partnership with BlueCross of Northeastern Pennsylvania. For further details, please contact Heather Hibshman at heather@pabreastcancer.org.