Causes We Support

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Breast Cancer         

Breast cancer- is the second leading cause of cancer death in women (after lung cancer). Although African-American women have a slightly lower incidence of breast cancer after age 40 than Caucasian women, they have a slightly higher incidence rate of breast cancer before age 40.

 However, African-American women are more likely to die from breast cancer at every age. Breast cancer is much less common in males; by comparison, the disease is about 100 times more common among women. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 1,910 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among men in the United States in 2009. For more details about breast cancer you can find it on their website http://www.circleofpromise.org

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Diabetes

Diabetes   Diabetes mellitus (MEL-ih-tus), or simply, diabetes, is a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose levels that result from defects in the body's ability to produce and/or use insulin. For more information on diabetes log onto http://www.diabetes.org

There are 3 types of Diabetes  Type1 -diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Only 5-10% of people with diabetes have this form of the disease. With the help of insulin therapy and other treatments, even young children with type 1 diabetes can learn to manage their condition and live long, healthy, happy lives.

Type 2-diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and many more are unaware they are at high risk. Some groups have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes than others. Type 2 diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos,Native Americans, and Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islander, as well as the aged population. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose for energy. When you eat food, the body breaks down all of the sugars and starches into glucose, which is the basic fuel for the cells in the body. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can lead to diabetes complications.

Gestational Diabetes-During pregnancy -- usually at around 28 weeks or later -- many women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes. A diagnosis of gestational diabetes doesn't mean that you had diabetes before you conceived, or that you will have diabetes after giving birth. But it's important to follow your doctor's advice regarding blood glucose (blood sugar) levels while you're planning your pregnancy, so you and your baby both remain healthy.

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Multiple Sclerosis March is National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness month.  Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary from one person to another. Today, new treatments and advances in research are giving new hope to people affected by the disease. For more information on this disease log on to http://www.nationalmssociety.org If you or someone you know contact your doctor for further test

Domestic Violence   October is National Domestic Violence Month! Domestic Violence -can be a patterned behavior any relationship where someone tries to power and control over you. Abuse is physical, emotional, sexual, mental; however there are so many signs of domestic violence.  For more information on domestic violence please feel free to log onto http://www.thehotline.org Or if you know someone that is in a relationship and needs help call this number or give them this number 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) 1.800.787.3224 (TTY)ANONYMOUS & CONFIDENTIAL HELP 24/7

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LUPUS

Lupus also shares the same color ribbon and National Awareness month is May.  Lupus -is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body). Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years. In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs ("foreign invaders," like the flu). Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Autoimmune means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues ("auto" means "self") and creates autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body. For more details on lupus visit http://www.lupus.org

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Heart Disease  African American adults are more likely to be diagnosed with coronary heart disease, and they are more likely to die from heart disease. Although African American adults are 40% more likely to have high blood pressure, they are 10% less likely than their non-Hispanic White counterparts to have their blood pressure under control. In 2007, African American men were 30% more likely to die from heart disease, as compared to non-Hispanic white men. African Americans are 1.5 times as likely as non-Hispanic whites to have high blood pressure. Log onto http://www.heart.org for more details.