New Britain, Conn. (January 31, 2013) - The CT Breast Health Initiative, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to supporting local breast cancer research and education, is seeking individuals from across the State to help 'Color Connecticut Pink.' The goal is to attract one Ambassador from each of Connecticut’s 169 towns to help increase awareness of and support for local breast cancer research with the ultimate goal of working towards finding a cure for breast cancer. CT Breast Health Initiative aims to give local voice to a national epidemic by engaging individuals across the State to increase awareness of how breast cancer is impacting Connecticut and the local work being done to help find a cure.
"Connecticut has the second highest incidence rate of breast cancer in the nation. As a State, we need to work together to help find a cure," Joyce Bray, President, CT Breast Health Initiative, said. "By cultivating a network of ambassadors across Connecticut, we hope to put a face on breast cancer and those it impacts."
Starting January 1, 2013, the CT Breast Health Initiative is accepting Ambassador applications from residents in each of Connecticut's 169 towns. The opportunity to become an Ambassador is open to survivors and others who are passionate about finding a cure for breast cancer.
As an Ambassador, individuals are asked to share information about early detection, local breast cancer research initiatives and community events, including the May 11th Connecticut Breast Health Initiative RACE IN THE PARK, that are supporting the quest to find a cure within their own communities. Ambassadors will also serve as community liaisons, communicating with friends, coworkers, neighbors, media and the community-at-large about how to take an active role in helping to find a cure for breast cancer in Connecticut. Sharing information via social media will play a critical role in helping Ambassadors to distribute timely and relevant information to their networks.
"As cliché as it sounds, there is strength in numbers," Bray said. "The more people we engage in actively helping to increase awareness of breast cancer's impact on Connecticut, the more successful we will be in rallying support around finding a cure for the disease.”
Breast Cancer is a challenge facing many across the nation and right here in Connecticut. As of January 1, 2012, an estimated 2.9 million women living in the US had a history of invasive breast cancer with an additional 226,870 women projected to be diagnosed during the year (American Cancer Society, 2012). It is estimated that one in eight women will develop breast cancer during their lives with 70-80% of breast cancer occurring in women with no family history of the disease.
To apply to become a CT Breast Health Initiative Ambassador and help 'Color Connecticut Pink' visit, http://ctbhi.org/color-connecticut-pink-become-a-town-ambassador.
About CT Breast Health Initiative
The CT Breast Health Initiative, Inc. was founded in 2004 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission is to make a difference locally in the fight against breast cancer through education and research. All funds raised by CTBHI in support of finding a cure (100%) stay in Connecticut. To date, CTBHI has awarded over $2 million to fund breast cancer research and education projects in Connecticut. To learn more, visit www.ctbhi.org.
Media Contact: Danielle Cyr & Judith Weir | 860.676.4400 | Danielle@cocommunications.com
