As we celebrate Mother’s Day/Breast Cancer Awareness/survivors, we would like to take a few moments to remind all women about the importance of being good stewards of our health. We are charged “to prosper and be in health even as our souls prosper.” The ushers have passed out a pink ribbon to every woman (or participant) who entered the sanctuary today. Many of you recognize these ribbons as the symbol in the fight against breast cancer. Today, our congregation is joining forces with thousands of individuals across Illinois and across the country to promote breast cancer awareness among women of color. At this time, I would like to introduce [name of breast cancer survivor] who would like to share her personal testimony.
[Remarks by Breast Cancer Survivor]
Good morning, my name is _______ and I am a breast cancer survivor. To give you some background, African-American and Hispanic women are less likely to get breast cancer but if they do develop this disease, they are 40% more likely to die than white women. And I am here today as a living testimony of the importance of early detection. [Survivor tells her story]. Therefore, I encourage all of my sisters to take command of their health and get mammography screenings regularly and follow-up care immediately if needed. So that we can be in health and prosper even as our souls prosper.
[Remarks by Designated Pin-A-Sister®/Examínate Comadre® Spokesperson]
Ladies, I would like for you to do the following:
Please stand, ribbon in hand and turn to a sister sitting next to or nearby you. Please recite this commitment after me: “Sister, we commit ourselves to get regular mammogram screenings and to schedule follow-up visits when necessary, as we stand together in the fight against breast cancer.”
In observance of the many women whose lives have been touched by breast cancer and as a symbol of our stand against cancer, please pin your sister with a pink ribbon now.
