The local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Delta Xi Omega, partnered with Novant Health Breast Center and First Calvary Baptist Church to take action against breast cancer. Breast Cancer Awareness and Prevention, an international program target, focuses specifically on early detection through mammograms to improve the survival rate of women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Alpha Kappa Alpha owns a digital AKA Mobile Breast Cancer Screening Unit that will travel to various locations and provide mammogram screening. The mobile unit for this service project was sponsored by the Rowan Breast Health Center Mobile Mammography Program.

Thirteen women pre-registered and two women registered on site for a mammogram. Thirteen of the 15 women qualified for a mammogram. Mammograms were offered to women with insurance and without insurance because of grants. Edna Gillespie, R.N., Ladsine Taylor, N.P. (Nurse Practitioner) and Beverly Warner R.D. (Registered Dietitian) provided educational information relating to high blood pressure, diet and heart disease. Blood pressure checks were provided by Edna Gillespie, R.N. and Ladsine Taylor, N.P.

Mammogram participants and members of the local chapter were at First Calvary’s Missionary Unit 6’s Mini Health Fair. Charts and brochures on diabetes and stroke and heart disease plus nutritional tips and healthy food information was available for attendees. Shazzy Fitness exercise trainer, Lorna Brown-Ray, led the ladies in movements that could strengthen their body.

Marva McCain, chair; Earnestine Krider, vice-chair of the Health Initiative committee; Sh’Myra Moore, chair of the program committee; Lillian Morgan, president.