Breast cancer: a new campaign highlights the importance of screening and early detection

CHICAGO (WLS) –

You may see familiar faces in local newspapers this month. This is part of a unique awareness campaign of the American Cancer Society and the University of Chicago Medicine, highlighting those affected by breast cancer. This team effort makes Chicago proud.

Tens of thousands of people in Chicago and the suburbs are once again preparing for the annual Breast Cancer Walk.

A one-of-a-kind campaign, "Pink: Powered by People", has been launched. It highlights seven associations at the forefront of cancer care and research.

"It's caregivers, husbands, treatment centers, doctors – all these people – who have a voice," said Meg Fischer, of the American Cancer Society.

Dr. Jean Bao, a breast cancer surgeon at the University of Chicago, is one of those voices.

"Breast cancer is the # 1 cancer diagnosed in women in the United States," said Dr. Bao. "So I think it's so important to educate the public about breast cancer to promote appropriate breast cancer screening and to raise funds for breast cancer research."

The voices of the survivors will also be heard, like that of Linda Harper Willaims. She was diagnosed after a routine mammogram. Months of chemotherapy and radiation therapy followed his operation.

"You're angry because you're sick, you can not eat, but I just want to say that every step is worth it, because it gave me life, I'm here. cancer, "said Williams.

It's a collective call to action launched with a photo of former Chicago bear, Desmond Clark, and his daughters. He lost his mother to breast cancer.

"Breast cancer is so important to him, he was so touched by his mother, he loved him so much, now he turns to his daughters, he wants to make sure that they are protected, "said ***.

You will also see Roz Varon, a ABC7 traffic presenter who was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2006. She and Judy Hsu have long been leading the annual Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk.

"I remember having felt such strength through this support.It is now the opportunity for me to pay it forward, to make it and to walk for others," he said. Varon.

You will see this campaign throughout the month of October in the Chicago Tribune and six suburban newspapers. Roz and Judy will be featured this Sunday.

The most important message is early detection. For more information on breast cancer screening, check out these online resources:

-Pink: Powered by the people
-University of Chicago in Medicine
-American Cancer Society
Walk against breast cancer