The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Essay Writing Contest Project is a joint partnership between the Komen Foundation, Greater Seattle Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and the African American Academy. Dr. Cherry A. McGee Banks, Immediate Past President of Greater Seattle Links, developed the five-week African American-centered curriculum. This project was designed as a “pull-out” program for fifteen African American female eighth-grade middle school scholars who have been touched in some manner by breast cancer— in their immediate families or their extended families, friends or associates. The Project began in Fall 2004. It was so successful that the project continues – scheduled to start again in March of 2006 at the Academy.

Raise breast cancer awareness and prevention among African American young women Help the young women develop pthe reflection skills needed to keep a personal journal. Help the young women develop a social action project relevant to the topic of breast cancer awareness and prevention Experience African- American professionals working in health care at the prestigious hospitals in their community. Throughout the five-week series, scholars wrote weekly essays reflecting on breast cancer awareness and prevention. In addition, scholars designed, implemented and presented a social action project to the Academy female staff. Also, they created and bound a booklet, which contained all their five-week essays. Nancy Place, an educator for the University of Washington (Bothell Campus) and student volunteers from her class instructed the scholars in bookbinding. Scholars used the 2004 “Kids Race for the Cure” poster as part of their booklets. A 2004 graduate of the African American Academy designed this winning poster.

Scholars met one hour a week and experienced lectures, guest speakers, videos and class readings, presentations and discussions. Betty Sanders Stanton, RN for Swedish Medical Center, Providence Campus, talked about the basics of breast cancer, including a demonstration on breast self-examination and healthy eating/nutrition. Link Gail Morgan, MD, Radiologist for Virginia Mason Medical Center, explained basic medical aspects of breast cancer with respect to breast imaging techniques and demonstrated how mammograms are given. She answered a myriad of questions scholars had regarding breast cancer among African American women and men. Link Winona Hollins-Hauge, Clinical Social Worker for Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, provided training and educational handouts on how to plan and organize for social action events.

During the series, scholars had access to the Academy’s staff such as Wendy Cornacchio, Writing Tutor; Linda Koerber, Counselor; and Patsy Salazar, Nurse. Pam Green, a counselor consultant, was the Project Team Leader. At the end of the Project, the evaluation established that the scholars accomplished the established objectives. It is our hope that this pilot breast cancer project can be revised and replicated to serve as an African American-centered model for other schools and communities. The fifteen scholars received awards for their efforts in a “Celebration of Completion,” in January 2005.

METHODS USED TO DETERMINE THE GROUP(S)

The middle school girls, their female relatives and the faculty and staff of the African American Academy in Seattle were the target groups. The student participants were chosen by their teachers for participation in the project – all of the girls had had a family member with breast cancer

MOST OUTSTANDING QUALITIES OF THIS PROGRAM

1. The outstanding participation of the young women in this project who were willing to complete all of the requirements in addition to their rigorous course of study.
2. The participation of Sister Links in the education and health professions who wrote the curriculum and served as speakers.
3. The ability to sustain and perhaps expand the program over the years as a model for community involvement to ease some of the disparities around health care access and treatment.

THIS PROGRAM BE SUSTAINED AND/OR INSTITUTIONALIZED