It's just the Ticket

PRINCETON — The Bureau/Putnam County Health Department has received a $25,000 grant for breast cancer education programs.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich said the state has awarded more than $1.1 million in Ticket for the Cure grants to 52 health departments and community organizations.

On the local level, Bureau/Putnam County Health Department spokesperson Lynette Weidner said the Ticket for the Cure money will be used in a variety of ways, including the purchase of educational materials on breast cancer awareness and also for promotional items for the health department’s scheduled events.

Some of those tentatively-scheduled events include girls’ high school volleyball Pack the Place Pink nights in October and boys’ high school basketball Pack the Place Pink nights in December and January. Hopefully, at least six of the area high schools will participate, Weidner said.

The local health department also plans to host or attend area health fairs, parades and county fairs in the coming year, Weidner said. Members of the department’s breast coalition will attend the women’s health conference in November. The health department also plans a Pretty in Pink Tea for May.

“These are just some of the ideas and events we have planned so far, Weidner said. “Basically the new grant allows us to promote the breast cancer program at the health department and to provide the county with educational information regarding breast health awareness, education and prevention.”

Weidner said the local health department participates in the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program which is available to women in the county who are between the ages of 35-64, with no insurance and Public Aid. This program provides free pap and pelvic exams and mammograms every year depending, on the woman’s age. The health department will also have the Methodist mobile mammogram service on Sept. 25 in Sheffield.

The Bureau/Putnam Health Department will continue to focus funding for their cancer awareness programs, Weidner said.

“We want to promote early detection. No matter what age you are, breast cancer can strike you, your family, your neighbor and even your best friend,” Weidner said. “So our goal is to spread the word and to provide information and services for this disease, so that one day hopefully a cure will be found.”