Women's Caucus Hosts "Save a Life" for Breast Cancer Awareness

On Tuesday, October 13, the Georgia Breast Cancer Coalition and the Georgia Women's Legislative Caucus held "Living with Breast Cancer" at the Georgia Sate Capitol.  Senator Nan Orrock began proceedings with a warm welcome -- followed by Amy Upchurch, the Executive Director of the Georgia Breast Cancer Coalition, who presented a proclamation from Governor Deal. Dr. Rogsbert Phillips, Sisters by Choice, presented on Metastatic Breast Cancer and Disparities.   From Georgia CORE, Alice Kerber, RN, presented the "Story Half Told" and Angie Patterson, VP, discussed clinical trials for metastatic breast cancer patients.  Penny Daughtery, RN, talked about the Cancer Patient Navigators of Georgia. Presenting a state and local perspective were Karen Beard, CPC, CPCO, Director of the Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology and Representative Dee Dawkins-Haigler.  Representative Dawkins-Haigler relayed her own story of surviving breast cancer.  The meeting concluded with a discussion of solutions and a call to action with Jae Kullar, Delta; Amy Hoke, NBCC's 2015 Legislative and Public Policy Agenda; Eric Bailey, American Cancer Society; and Dorothy Leone-Glasser, Advocates for Responsible Care. It was attended by legislators, physicians, researchers, advocates and survivors. Take away messages included #MakeDrugsAffordable, #Awareness365 and #EarlyDetectionSavesLives.