The Community Outreach Committee has two roles: (1) to provide education and training opportunities for both our members and our community to learn more about female reproductive cancers, and (2) to support the RCCS staff, volunteers, and caregivers who work with patients undergoing treatment for breast and female reproductive cancers. Utilizing our partnership with RCCS, the committee seeks to raise community awareness of the JLHR Signature Project through health screenings, health fairs, community-based events, education opportunities (e.g., Riverside’s Mall Talk series at Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News), and other special events that focus on women’s health. The committee supports clinical caregivers by hosting several events for RCCS’ staff and volunteers. In the 2010 – 2011 League year, these events included the JLHR Fall Festival, the second annual Tea for Teal luncheon, and a series of stress management mini-seminars for cancer caregivers.
For the 2011 – 2012 League year, the Community Outreach committee is excited to announce the newest project in our ongoing community education campaign. “Take the Time, Know the Signs: Handbags for Hope” showcases a collection of over 35 custom decorated handbags. All of the bags were created by members of the JLHR, gynecological cancer patients, cancer caregivers, and their family members. Each bag is presented with a statement written by the artist. Many of the statements tell of personal inspiration and struggles with cancer; all of the statements are powerful and inspiring. The bags are also presented with information about the signs and symptoms of gynecological cancers and
