Kicking off National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of joining secretary of state Ralph Mollis, attorney general Peter Kilmartin, Cranston mayor Allan Fung, Providence mayor Angel Tavares and Central Falls mayor James Diossa to kick off National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The event, held in partnership with the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation, brought together a diverse group of people, including community members, cancer survivors, medical caregivers and others affected by cancer. A highlight of the event was the unveiling of the foundation's Starfish Project. The initiative - the organization's largest hearing arts program thus far - consists of a seven-panel art installation with 5,000 clay starfish. Patients, survivors, family members, friends, and those in the medical community made the starfish, which will be on display indefinitely in the skybridge at the Providence Place Mall. During the event, CVS Caremark also announced a continued partnership with the foundation to expand outreach to the state's underserved communities. A Hope Bus visit later this month to the city of Woonsocket and, in the future, additional community outreach workers for the bus, are part of this partnership. In Rhode Island, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed and second deadliest form of cancer among women; one in six Rhode Islanders will be diagnosed with the disease in her lifetime. Recognizing how important early detection can be, the city of Warwick allows its employees four hours per year for cancer screening. In addition to highlighting October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I am urging our employees - and all of our residents - to take time during this month to go for cancer screenings. It's a simple step that could make an enormous difference. The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation has a series of events planned in October and provides information and support to cancer patients and their loved ones. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.gloriagemma.org or www.facebook.com/GloriaGemma. Scott Avedisian is the mayor of Warwick and the chairman of the RIPTA board of directors.