By Michelle Bates
Breast cancer survivors gathered together in Arcadia Thursday in celebration of living through and beating breast cancer.
Held at Louisiana National Bank’s Homer Woodard Room, community members gathered to recognize October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month as well, including speakers, finger foods and fellowship.
House Speaker Mike Johnson’s Community Liaison Kathy Babers was the guest speaker for the event, talking to survivors about legislation passed to enhance treatments and other things relating to specifically breast cancer as well as others.
“In doing some research for breast cancer specifically, I found some legislation within the 118th Congress that have been either introduced or passed,” she said. “I want to go over some of that just so you know that Congress is working for you.”
HR 3916 – Would authorize the appropriation of $275 million each year from 2025 to 2029 for the National Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, administered by the CDC
HR 4363 – The Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act. It would aim to address the health of cancer survivors and unmet needs cancer survivors face for entire continuum from diagnosis through active treatment to post treatment, including a developing a minimum care for cancer survivorship.
HR 235 – Provide for research and education with respect to triple negative breast cancer. It’s a very rare type of breast cancer; all of the tests that come back negative on three tests. “It’s a very aggressive cancer and very hard to detect. When you have a lot of different types of cancers that come up, there’s a lot of research and education with respect to those and treatments,” she said. “Early detection is key.” This act would provide that money and research for this specific type of breast cancer.
HR 4779 – It would amend the Title 14 of the Social Security Act to provide custom fabrication of custom prosthesis following a mastectomy.
HR 5183 – Would provide coverage of cancer planning and care coordination under the Medicare program.
HR 4473 – Would provide for site neutral payment for service under Medicare Part B of the Medicare program.
HR 549 – Would amend Title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the waiting periods for disability insurance benefits in Medicare coverage for individuals of mastatic breast cancer.
HR 3086 – Would provide coverage with no cost sharing for additional breast screenings for certain individuals at greater risk for breast cancer.
Babers says these have happened within the last two years.
Vicki Caskey, president and founder of Wiggin’ Out, talked to breast cancer survivors about the help they provide cancer patients. While it offers access to prosthesis many different avenues, they also provide gift cards to men, women and children to help with expenses during cancer treatment.
Melisa Rudd, a breast cancer survivor, presented her journey through cancer treatment, emphasizing the importance of mammograms and self-exams to detect cancer early, should it arise.
A list of breast cancer survivors was presented with everyone’s program, and those include: Kelly Bond, Freddie M. Blow, Carol Brown, Brenda Cato, Jacqueline S. Cato, Alice Rochelle Coleman, Hattie Maude Coleman, Bobbie Coleman Critton, Stacey Phillips Downings, Susan Fields, Latricia Green, Lucilla Jackson, Tora Johnson, Barbara Lay, Bet Loe, Sylvia Madden, Carol McCarter, Katherine Mixon, Doris J. Moore, Shirley Payne, Mary Pearson, Glenda Jewel Qualls, Jennifer Revelle, Angela Robinson, Melisa Rudd, Margaret Salter, Joanna Sgruggs, Mattie Shaw, Kaye Shively, Peggy Gantt and Anita Smart.
Serving as sponsors for the event include: Bienville Medical Center, Louisiana National Bank, Leslie Lakes Retirement Center, Welch Cookies, CASA, Willow Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Brookshire’s, Sweet Dreams and Bayou Something Pretty.