Promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month In Your Library!

Why?
According to the National Cancer Institute www.cancer.gov , “13.2 percent of women born today will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time in their lives.” Many of these women (and men) are our patrons. Some are young college girls who think it is too soon to think about their health. Some may be working women who forget to check things out. Some are our seniors. Many are the ones who will fall through the cracks because they do not go to regular doctor visits or have insurance coverage.

October is a good time to:

* Put up a colorful display of relevant, current materials.
* Post website links in computer cubicles.
* Use the anniversary of “health awareness” months to weed and evaluate your sections.
* Remember to look into young adult books, both medical and “support” focused.
* Remind your staff about the importance of their own health! Show your pink ribbons!

Make sure that displays are not just in the health section of your library! Try posting one amidst the romance novels or near the checkout. Include books for all audiences – family members, fact-checkers, those that need reassurance. Include handouts that can be picked up quickly. Check to see that displays depict all age groups and races in the promotional posters or materials.

Make a menu of clickable links and post in each cubicle of the online computers. Print it on bright pink paper to catch their eye. Not wordy—just large bold graphics of website addresses. (This is a great idea to do every month with rotating themes. They are sitting in the cubicles for hours—capture their attention with colorful bulletins that require little reading.)

Bring your community resources to your patrons. Let them know about local support groups, active health organizations, and state and federal programs that provide assistance and free mammograms. For example, Illinois’ Breast and Cancer Cervical Program @ www.cancerscreening.illinois.gov provides information on who is eligible for free screening and treatment. Other links provided will lead you to traveling mammogram programs and more. Invite one of these organizations to visit your library.

Encourage all staff to get on the band wagon!
Use your student enthusiasm to make a difference!!

Don't Lose These Links!
The American Cancer Society @ www.cancer.org
National Breast Cancer Foundation @ www.nationalbreastcancer.org
Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation @ www.komen.org
Y-Me National Breast Cancer Foundation @ www.y-me.org

"Cancer Made Me a Shallower Person: A Memoir in Comics"

http://www.amazon.com/Cancer-Made-Me-Shallower-Person/dp/0060789735/sr=1-2/qid=1159888580/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-6761531-3016735?ie=UTF8&s=books

"Cancer Vixen"

http://www.amazon.com/Cancer-Vixen-Marisa-Acocella-Marchetto/dp/0307263576/sr=1-1/qid=1159888580/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-6761531-3016735?ie=UTF8&s=books

"When Your Wife Has Breast Cancer: A Story of Love, Courage and Survival"

http://www.amazon.com/When-Your-Wife-Breast-Cancer/dp/1596873132/sr=8-6/qid=1159887994/ref=sr_1_6/104-6761531-3016735?ie=UTF8&s=books

Psychiatric Help: Free For Students(Accepted and Dispersed)
We learn over and over not to assume or comment—but as a reminder:
* Kids looking for health information may not be doing a school project.
* Men may not be looking for information about their wives; it may be themselves who have been diagnosed.
* Women may not be looking for facts;they may be looking for comfort.Find sources that offer both.
* Do not say:“I went through this”;“My mother has cancer”;“You will be fine.”If solace is being sought say"You will be in my thoughts."
* Keep a bookmark or flyer current with posted sites or references. This may be handy for the patron who is temporarily overwhelmed.
* Have patience. This patron may not be pleasant or talkative. Be a comforting place for them to return.