For Immediate Release

September 29, 2015

Contact: Tammy Sharp

Public Information Director
337.238.2283

tammy.sharp@leesvillela.gov

Leesville Mayor Rick Allen Proclaims October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Leesville
LEESVILLE, La.--Leesville Mayor Rick Allen and Bayne Jones Community Hospital Commander Col. Carlene A. S Blanding signed a joint proclamation on Monday, September 28, 2015 declaring the Month of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Leesville and at Bayne Jones Community Hospital respectively.

October is traditionally National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In 2014, more than 230,000 women and over 2,000 men were diagnosed with breast cancer and tens of thousands die from it.

From left to right (standing) Stacy Lewis, City of Leesville accounts payable/tax collector and breast cancer survivor; Anne Causey, Executive Director of the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce and survivor; Patricia Taylor, Bayne Jones Community Hospital (BJACH) health promotions nurse; BJACH Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Bivens; survivors Sheila Anthony and Karen Chapman-Domingez; Capt. Kesha Riley BJACH Preventive Medicine supervisor; and Col. Matthew Garrison, BJACH Chief of the Department of  Preventive Medicine. Seated are BJACH Commander Col. Carlene A. S Blanding and City of Leesville Mayor Rick Allen. 
Note: there is no period after the "S" in Col. Carlene A.S Blanding's name. 
"As we observe National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we salute the men and men who dedicate themselves to prevention, detection and treatment," the proclamation reads. "And we show our support for every individual and every family struggling with breast cancer, and pause to remember those we have lost.

We reaffirm our commitment to reduce the burden of breast cancer. We join hands with our mothers, daughters, sisters and friends. We renew our support for increased access to screenings and care, and we advance the innovative research that will hopefully one day make cancer history."

The proclamation encourages citizens, government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and all other interested organizations to join in activities that will increase awareness of what the citizens of Leesville and of Louisiana can do to prevent breast cancer.

As part of the awareness, the Performance Triad of Fort Polk in partnership with the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce will host the second annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month Luncheon on Oct. 14, 2015 at the Warrior Community Center at Fort Polk.

Breast cancer survivors from throughout the Vernon Parish community and Fort Polk are invited to attend. Booths will be available beginning at 11 a.m., and the luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. To make reservations, please call Anne Causey at the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce, at 337-238-0349.

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The City of Leesville, the best hometown in the world, is a historic yet visionary community. As the parish seat of Vernon Parish, where Fort Polk and the Joint Readiness Training Center are located, the City of Leesville is home to military families, retired veterans and a growing and strongly patriotic citizenry that provides the basis of a well-rounded and work-ready workforce.   

 

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