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 In October 2007, First Lady Patricia Blagojevich launched the Tell a Friend Campaign, which is designed to inspire women to take charge of their health and get screened. The campaign builds upon the ongoing breast cancer outreach efforts to spread the word about the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP) that provides potentially life-saving cancer screenings and treatment to all uninsured women in the state.
Through the Tell a Friend campaign launched by the First Lady, women will be offered more than word-of-mouth to help spread the word about breast cancer prevention. By logging in to www.cancerscreening.illinois.gov, and clicking on the Tell a Friend tab, a person can fill out a personalized e-card that is then emailed to the person’s files. There is no limit to the number of e-cards a person can email, and the recipient will receive detailed information about Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP) and how to sign up for the program.
Tell a Friend and help save lives!
 In October 2005, Mrs. Blagojevich and the Salem Baptist Church worked together to launch the “Pink Potluck” campaign. The First Lady’s “Pink Potluck” campaign built upon the Governor’s efforts to address the minority community. Mrs. Blagojevich encouraged other First Ladies of African American churches to participate in the “Pink Potluck” campaign to bring their congregations together to discuss the health concerns, experiences and information related to women’s health. The potluck also encourages women to keep their health in check by talking with their doctors about risk factors and preventative practices. Mrs. Blagojevich announced that if a group of 100 women or more participates in a “Pink Potluck,” they may request the presence of the state’s “Wellness on Wheels” van to provide health screenings and information to the women attending the event. The Illinois Department of Public Health administers the wellness van, which travels throughout the state to provide a variety of health screenings, including mammograms and cervical cancer screening to underserved areas.
Learn how you can host a Pink Potluck!
On October 15, 2005 First Lady Patricia Blagojevich presented the Governor’s People Are Today’s Heroes (PATH) Award to Dr. Olufunmilayo I. Olopade, of the University of Chicago, for her dedication to breast cancer research.
 The PATH Award recognizes groups or individuals who, through their hard work and commitment, have improved the lives of people in their community in the areas of health care, public safety, education and economic development.
“Breast cancer is a deadly disease that can affect any one of us women. We are very fortunate to have a person like Dr. Olopade in Illinois who has allowed us to take great steps forward in trying to find a cure for breast cancer,” said Mrs. Blagojevich. “Hopefully one day, our mothers, sisters, and daughters will not have to endure this potentially deadly disease.”
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women 20 years of age and older, with an estimated 9,000 women expected to be diagnosed in Illinois this year. Dr. Olopade has a special interest in women of African descent. While African-American women are not diagnosed with breast cancer as frequently as Caucasian women, the mortality rate among African Americans is 39.3 compared to 25.5 among White women.
For more information on Dr. Olopade, Click Here.
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