HOUSTON — Cancer robbed the world of Nat King Cole’s voice when he was only 45. A group of local businesswomen and church leaders want to ensure that cancer doesn’t take more from the African American community and are using a music-filled portrait of his life to launch a breast cancer awareness campaign.
On July 18, The Rose and a committee led by Kim Roxie of Lamik Beauty will host a night at the Ensemble Theatre with a performance of the musicalI Wish You Loveand breast cancer awareness on the bill.
According to the American Cancer Society:
–Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death among African American women
–Only about half of breast cancers diagnosed in African American women are at a local stage compared to 61% among White women.
–Later stage at diagnosis among African American women has been largely attributed to lower frequency of and longer intervals between mammograms and lack of timely follow-up of suspicious results.
As a result of trends such as these, The Breast Health Collaborative of Texas in collaboration with The Rose, St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Charities, UT School of Public Health, and Community Faculty conducted a local study and in 2013 findings were released that showed patient intervention significantly improved attendance at mammogram appointments for African American women in the Houston area.With input and training designed by and for the African American community, a patient navigator was trained on how to contact and counsel participants via reminder calls for upcoming mammogram appointments at The Rose. As a result of the patient navigator intervention, 83% of the participants in the intervention group attended their appointments compared to 58% of the those who received only the reminder call and not the additional counseling.
Armed with the knowledge that annual screenings can save lives and that African American women need only be encouraged to do so, Chris Noble of The Rose staff enlisted the help of Roxie and her friends to plan an event that would support educational materials and mammograms for uninsured African American women.
The ticket structure is based on Me2, the unique funding model at The Rose where three insured women help cover the cost of one uninsured. Tickets are therefore sold in groups of three – no single tickets are available. For $350, supporters receive three tickets to the musical and a champagne reception.
Current sponsors of the July 18th night at the Ensemble include Lamik Beauty, Venise & Ron Richardson, Dan Kroll, South Texas Machining, Janine Moore-Peak Financial Group, Law Office of Barbara Hudson, Tanglewood Investments, YWCA Houston, Bob & Arita Nicholas, and Councilman Larry Green.
For more information on or to reserve your package for three, contact Chris Noble at 281.615.8843 or email [email protected].
