Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors proclaims October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors and volunteers of Winneshiek County Celebration of Life

On Monday, the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors proclaimed October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The official papers were signed by the Board of Supervisors of Winneshiek County, with volunteers of Winneshiek County Celebration of Life present.

The proclamation begins: "National Breast Cancer Awareness Month educates women about the importance of early detection for breast cancer. Since the awareness began, mammography use has doubled, and breast cancer death rates have declined."

The Winneshiek County Celebration of Life (WCCOL) is a nonprofit organization founded in Winneshiek County, with the mission to raise money for cancer awareness, prevention, and support. Through business sponsorship, individual donations, memorials, and community events, the Winneshiek County area has supported the health of their neighbors since 1998.

The WCCOL, in cooperation with Winneshiek Medical Center and Gundersen Health System Decorah Clinic, are offering mammogram screenings free of charge to underinsured or uninsured women. All free screenings are awarded based on financial need.

The WCCOL also supports the Fuel and Food for the Fight program, which helps support area individuals in active cancer treatment by providing gasoline and food cards.

Applications for these programs are available at Winneshiek Medical Center, Gundersen Health System Decorah Clinic or online at www.winneshiekcol.com.

Breast cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer world-wide and is the leading cause of cancer in women. Each year, over 2 million new cases are diagnosed and in the U.S. alone there are 260,000 new cases annually. Most women have 15 percent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer and early detection is key. Currently, women can start screening for breast cancer at age 40 and should be screened every one to two years. A mammogram is the preferred screening method for breast cancer. Monthly self-breast exams are also encouraged, as well as an annual clinical breast exam by a health provider.

On Saturday, October 26th, at 8:00 p.m., the WCCOL will host a fundraising concert headlined by the Cory Farley Band. Cory Farley—a native of Winneshiek County and Nashville recording artist—and his band will play at The Inwood Ballroom in Spillville. Raffle tickets for prizes will be available. A complete listing of where to buy tickets for the concert and raffle is available here: https://www.winneshiekcol.com/cory-farley-band-2019.

All proceeds will be used to support the WCCOL mission: making available free mammogram screenings to underinsured or uninsured women and fuel/food cards to men and women as they undergo active treatment of cancer.