By Crystal D. Swann and Carol Moody Becker
December 12, 2005

In promoting 2005 National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM), reporting mayors emphasized outreach to uninsured and underinsured women, encouraging them to take advantage of free or subsidized mammography. Some examples follow:

• Bridgeport (CT) Mayor John M. Fabrizi collaborated with The Witness Project, an outreach initiative for African American women, and also hosted the state’s annual Amen Conference;

• Stamford (CT) Mayor Dannel Malloy promoted mobile mammography, working with the local hospital and the American Cancer Society, and also invited the state health department to participate in local health fairs;

• Portland (ME) Mayor Jill Duson promoted both a special screening day and the state health department’s Women First initiative;

• San Marcos (TX) Mayor Susan Clifford Narvaiz publicized the 100 free mammograms made available to uninsured women in her community through the Community Action Agency, the Central Texas Medical Center, and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Narvaiz also launched the “2005 Pink Ribbon Campaign” to promote breast cancer screening through the Community Action Agency and the Central Texas Medical Center. In collaboration with the Susan G. Komen Foundation of Austin, this initiative is providing 100 free mammograms to uninsured women.

The mayors also promoted breast cancer awareness through their NBCAM proclamations, letters to the editor, press releases, and educational programs for city employees. Additionally, they provided personal leadership on projects such as Bridgeport Mayor John M. Fabrizi’s “For Women Only Health & Business Show Case” and Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy’s “Paint the Town Pink.”

For a listing of the more than 100 reporting mayors who issued proclamations for 2005 National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, go to The United States Conference of Mayors website: usmayors.org/chhs. For more information about The United States Conference of Mayors Cancer Awareness Program, contact Crystal D. Swann, Assistant Executive Director by e-mail: cswann@usmayors.org or by phone: 202-293-7330.