Washington Redskins Team Up with Fire/EMS and Health Department to Raise Breast Cancer Awareness


MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930, mebrady@co.pg.md.us

The Washington Redskins Cheerleaders join the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department in raising Breast Cancer Awareness.  Photo by Rick Brady @RickBradyPhotography, Special Courtesy to PGFD.

The Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department is partnering with the County Health Department, the Washington Redskins and their Cheerleaders to encourage screening for Breast Cancer.  Every person can take part in this important work by reminding all of the women in their lives about the importance of regular breast screenings. 

“Early screening and diagnosis is critical in the treatment of breast cancer,” said Prince George's County Health Officer Pamela Creekmur. “We encourage all women over age 40 to receive a clinical breast exam and to discuss their breast health with their primary health care provider.  Women 40 and above are additionally encouraged to have annual or biannual mammograms as directed by their healthcare provider. ”

"We are proud to join our community partners by 'Thinking Pink' and promoting 'A Critical Catch' to raise awareness that early screening for breast cancer can save lives," stated Prince George's County Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor. "Our job is to save lives by preventing fires, injuries and illnesses before they occur.  Monthly self examination is as important as checking your smoke alarm every month, both tasks save lives."

The Fire/EMS Department has joined the Washington Redskins with providing health tips and resources to distributing breast cancer awareness ribbons.  Firefighter/Medics wearing pink work shirts and riding pink fire trucks have joined the burgundy and gold to help get fans to think pink so we can tackle this deadly disease.  Every October, the Washington Redskins designate one game as the official breast cancer awareness game. Fans attending the game are welcomed by Tanya Snyder, wife of Redskins owner Daniel Snyder and WOW founder, and hundreds of Zeta Tau Alpha members who distribute more than 60,000 THINK-PINK!® ribbons and breast cancer awareness educational materials each year. The breast cancer awareness game features game balls with pink ribbon decals, on-field pink ribbon stencils and pink goal posts, as well as pink equipment for players including cleats, wristbands, gloves, sideline caps, helmet decals, chin straps, sideline towels and more.


Mrs. Snyder and ZTA started the campaign for breast cancer awareness in 1999. With the founding and continuous support of Mrs. Snyder and the Washington Redskins, ZTA created a national model for its THINK-PINK!® breast cancer awareness and education campaign throughout the NFL.
WOW is dedicated to becoming a breast cancer resource and support group for women in the Washington, D.C., area. By raising awareness, providing resources and stressing the importance of annual screenings, WOW hopes to tackle breast cancer one screening at a time.

Approximately 4,700 women in Maryland will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.  An estimated 810 women will die because of the disease in 2012.  A crucial key to lowering these numbers is through regular breast cancer screenings and early recognition.  Research shows that at least 30% of these breast cancer deaths could be prevented if breast cancer screening guidelines are followed.  Though uncommon, men can get breast cancer and should be aware of the risk factors and screening guidelines.

Screenings for breast cancer include simple tests such as clinical breast exams and mammograms.  A clinical breast exam is performed by a doctor and can find breast cancer at an early stage when it can best be treated.  A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray picture of the breast.  The X-ray pictures can show cancer that is too small for the doctor to feel. 

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Prince George’s County Health Department wants all residents to remind the women in their lives of the following screening recommendations:


Ages 20-39
Ages 40 and older
Mammogram (x-ray of breasts)

Every 1–2 years. Discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Clinical breast exam
At least every 3 years starting in your 20s
Yearly

The Prince George’s County Health Department offers clinical breast exam and mammogram screenings for eligible women over the age of 40 who may not be able to afford them.

Join the fight against breast cancer by teaming up with the the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department, Washington Redskins and the County Health Department! 

The Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department PINK Pumper.
Photo by Rick Brady @RickBradyPhotography, Special Courtesy to PGFD.
Make the crucial catch by using the following health tips to detect breast cancer early:



- Begin monthly breast self-examinations by age 20



- Receive a clinical breast exam every three years starting at age 20



- Schedule mammograms and clinical breast exams each year beginning at age 40

Early detection through annual breast cancer screenings and mammograms is often the best defense against breast cancer.

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP) at 301-883-3525.

More information is available via the following link: http://www.breasthealthinc.org/bhi/

WOW - Washington Redskins: http://www.wowredskins.com/map/

Prince George’s County Health Department, Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP):

Other breast cancer awareness resources: http://www.breasthealthinc.org/bhi/

Breast Health, Inc.    http://www.breasthealthinc.org/bhi/

All Shades of Pink, Inc. http://www.asopinc.org/html/home.html

Center for Comprehensive Breast Care at Doctors Community Hospital, 301 552-8524






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