In the midst of a global pandemic, while the entire country grapples with recent events highlighting systemic racism, national breast cancer patient organizations are committing to an unprecedented health-equity initiative that focuses on diversity and inclusion. As a result, the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) and Tigerlily Foundation have partnered for the #InclusionPledge to ignite change that will end health disparities for people of color.
Founded, owned, and operated by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, SABCS is a leading scientific conference for oncology researchers, basic scientists, clinicians, and advocates. The mission of SABCS is to provide an exchange of new information in experimental biology, etiology, prevention, diagnosis, and therapy of premalignant breast cancer and breast disease. SABCS executive directors have taken the pledge to commit to improving diversity and inclusion conversations at the symposium, which is known for its large global attendance and networking opportunities.
Working Toward Inclusion
Black women are often diagnosed at later disease stages, when treatments are limited and costly and the prognosis is poor. They also are often diagnosed at younger ages, develop more aggressive breast cancer, and experience a 40% higher mortality rate. In addition, Black women have a 39% recurrence rate of breast cancer.
Maimah Karmo
“Race, literacy, financial barriers, access, social, systemic, and hereditary backgrounds should not be determinants of life and health equity. To accelerate and make an impact to disparities and Black women, the #InclusionPledge is imperative,” said Tigerlily Foundation President Maimah Karmo. “Tigerlily Foundation was founded to address inequity of age, of stage, and of color. We have invested significantly in addressing disparities affecting Black women to ensure that women of color are equal partners at every table. We band together with our colleagues and friends to launch the #inclusionpledge to advocate the inclusion of women of color across initiatives impacting their breast and overall health.”
For more information, visit http://tigerlilyfoundation.org, or follow the organization on Twitter @TigerlilyCares, on Instagram at Tigerlily_Foundation, and on Facebook at TigerlilyFoundation.
