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CLUW Promotes First National Tour
for Cervical Cancer Awareness
Washington, DC – In October union women turned out in cities across the United States to support a concert tour to raise awareness of cervical cancer and how to prevent it. The tour, Yellow Umbrella Tour, featured Christine Baze, a union musician and cervical cancer survivor.
Christine’s message was a simple one – that cervical cancer can be completely preventable through regular screening. She emphasized that although it is known that cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and that there is technology available to screen for the virus, thousands of women still die from cervical cancer each year.
Since CLUW became aware in early 2002 that there is a test for HPV, it has been dedicated to making certain that working women are aware that this deadly disease can be prevented by using the test. For women over 30, using the HPV test with a Pap can better identify those needing early intervention to prevent cervical cancer.
In the fall of 2003CLUW stepped up its work on cervical cancer awareness and education through Working Women ROCC! (Reaching out against Cervical Cancer), a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded project in cooperation with the Academy for Educational Development (AED).
CLUW and Working Women ROCC! partnered with the 2004 Yellow Umbrella concert tour,. which appeared in 22 cities and drew crowds and support from union women. Working Women ROCC! organized groups of union women in each city to attend Christine’s performance. Local CLUW chapters were the key to the tour’s success by recruiting and promoting shows in their respective city. For example, in New York City, 21 union women attended a sold out concert and in Philadelphia, 35 union women came together to see the show.
Other cities that included CLUW members were Tucson, Nashville, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Boston, Christine’s hometown.
“I just do not see how this tour will not help promote cervical cancer awareness,” said CLUW Ft-Worth Chapter President Ellen Wakefield of the show in Dallas.
“The union turnout for the tour was impressive. We are delighted that CLUW was able to be actively involved in this,” said CLUW President Susan Phillips.
“I had a great time at this event. It raised my awareness and I am letting others know of the ‘test’ to combat this virus. Knowledge is” said Tamera Gullinger of Carpenters Local 839 in Chicago.
Based on the tour’s success in 2004, stay tuned for information on next year’s tour.
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