Promoting Breast Health for All Women through the Gift for Life Block Walk

Dr. Dawn Leonard is a breast surgeon and the medical director of the Herman & Walter Samuelson Breast Care Center at Northwest Hospital. She frequently lectures on the importance of mammograms, as regular ones can catch breast cancer early, when chances for a complete cure are the greatest.

On Saturday, July 21, 2012, members of the Baltimore affiliate chapter of Sisters Network, Inc., staff from LifeBridge Health, and a number of community members and volunteers took to the streets. Their goal: to educate the Baltimore City residents about early prevention and detection of breast cancer during the Sisters Network Gift for Life Block Walk.

The rainy weather didn’t stop this dedicated group of survivors, caregivers and supporters from going out in the Garrison community and knocking on hundreds of doors. Geared with pink bags filled with educational material and hovered under umbrellas, these community members went door to door sharing information on breast health care. They also invited the community to Calvary Baptist Church to hear an educational presentation given by Dawn Leonard, M.D., Medical Director of the Herman & Walter Samuelson Breast Care Center at Northwest Hospital.

Dr. Leonard spoke about the prevention of breast cancer, the effects of breast cancer on the African American community, and what everyone can do to spread the message about breast cancer risks and prevention. The audience was able to have their breast health questions answered. Audience members also shared some of their personal experiences when faced with the challenge of a breast cancer diagnosis.

LifeBridge Health has partnered with Sisters Network Inc. to promote community awareness and education through our Freedom to Screen Program. The Freedom to Screen Program offers free mammograms and resources for eligible uninsured and underinsured women through a grant awarded from the Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

For more information about services offered through Freedom to Screen and Sisters Network, Inc., please call 410-701-4705.

-Brooke Mullineaux, program coordinator for breast health education, Herman & Walter Samuelson Breast Care Center

To schedule an appointment with one of our highly trained physicians and find out why LifeBridge Health is Baltimore's premiere health care organization, call 410-601-WELL.

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