DC Pink Divas Kick-Off Brunch!

I LOVE supporting causes that are near to my heart, which is why I agreed to become an Honorary Pink DIVA over a year ago. Hearing the word 'love' before the words 'pink' and 'Diva' probably won't ever shock you coming from a Beauty Queen BUT what is awe inspiring is the story behind the Divas. DC Pink Divas focuses on educating, empowering, and impacting the lives or women in DC wards 7 & 8 and PG County, MD. For those unfamiliar with DC, Ward 8 alone has a breast cancer death rate that is 10% higher than the national average. Lowering this statistic is a huge task indeed, but with an extremely dedicated and knowledgeable lead team it's go hard or go home!



Slide Show: My Diva duties from almost a year ago!



Posing with DC Pink Divas Lead Team!

 The kick-off was the first of a series of educational seminars to equip area women with accurate and timely information about breast cancer so they, in turn, can go spread the word to women in their communities. I commend the women in attendance for showing up early on a Saturday morning fired up and ready to take charge in their communities. What a breath of fresh air!




Women Empowering Women!


I was very impressed with the variety of women in attendance and know they will serve as great lay health educators in their communities. There was so much strength, power and inspiration in the room that I was moved to share what intially inspired me to accept the position as Honorary DC Pink Diva. When I was 15 years of age my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately, it was caught in an early stage and after undergoing radiation treatment she was given a clean bill of health. Even before then, when I was in my tweens, my paternal grandmother had breast cancer, underwent treatment, had a recurrence and ultimately underwent a double mastectomy. Yup, you did the math right. Brest cancer has occurred in BOTH sides of my family when the affected women were relatively young. This frightening family history always lingers in the back of my mind. However, about ten years ago that tiny family fact became all too real. At the age of just 17 I had to have a lump removed from my breast for diagnostic purposes. I was blessed to learn that it was just a benign cyst, but since then have been extremely sensitive to the need for myself and other women to take care of their breast health. Hopefully, sharing my story and the resources below will help save the life of someone reading this blog or someone they know. Spread the info and save the tatas!! 
American Cancer Society- http://tinyurl.com/4yh7owd
CDC- http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/screening.htm
Susan G. Komen for the Cure: http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/GeneralRecommendations.html

Read this article in the Afro American Newspaper to learn more about DC Pink Divas:
http://www.afro.com/sections/news/washington/story.htm?storyid=74884

Who knew vital health info. could be so pretty?!?!


<3 Amina Lillie