The Get In Touch Girls' Program was developed specifically for girls in grades 5-12 to educate them on the importance of, and how to do a breast self exam.
In collaboration with a medical consulting board that includes a school nurse, a pediatrician, an oncologist, a breast surgeon and a radiologist, GIT has developed the Daisy Wheel, a highly innovative tool to be introduced by health educators to girls beginning in 5th grade, when introducing topics of hygiene and the girls' changing bodies, through 12th grade. These "Eight Tips" for "Eight-Straight" years of the Girls' Program will give the girls the foundation they need to practice BSE - for life.
Focus groups participating in the development of this program included girls ages 8-18, as well as the the outstanding and especially supportive school nurses from the City of Milford, CT. These ladies joined me in December 2007 in the final critique and ultimate seal of approval - theirs!
Already being heralded in the medical community as a tool that will significantly alter the face of Breast Cancer, the Daisy Wheel will be available in CT schools in 2009, New England schools in 2010, and nationally in 2011.
Ours is a global initiative; we aim to put a Daisy Wheel in the hands of every girl in the world!
We understand the desire for a speedy global implementation, however, at this time, we are a volunteer-based organization and realize that this global initiative is a marathon and that we must pace ourselves by walking and not give in to the strong desire to sprint! Please be patient and know that we are working hard to "change the world one girl at a time!"
If you are interested in having the Get In Touch Girls' Program at your school, please ask your School Nurse to contact us at [email protected]. (If you are outside of CT or the New England area, please have the Executive Director of Nursing for your municipality or state contact us regarding our timeline for expected national and international implementation.)