by hilary johnson
There comes a moment in people’s lives when they are faced with harsh realities that change us forever. For local Channel 12 News Anchor Jeannie Blaylock, that moment came fifteen years ago. Her best friend, Kay, was pregnant and diagnosed with breast cancer.
Kay’s doctor asked how old she was, and when she told him she was only twenty-nine, the doctor told her she was too young for breast cancer. Kay had her baby, a little boy, and then passed away soon after due to the cancer in her body that supposedly could not possibly be there.
“I was just so upset,” says Blaylock. “Pink was not the color for breast cancer back then. Women didn’t have the chance or the information available to them that we have now.”
So, faced with a moment that changed her life forever, Jeannie Blaylock decided to make some changes too. She called her mom and said, “Why don’t we pick one day out of the month to remind each other to check ourselves, it will be a buddy check.” They chose the 12th of every month as the day of their reminder, and that’s how Buddy Check 12 came to be.
Blaylock created Buddy Check 12 with the partnership of Baptist Health in the hopes of educating women on the importance of early detection of breast cancer. The odds of beating Breast Cancer are about 90% if found early, but if women rely on their annual check-up for detection and don’t perform self-exams, that percentage grows smaller and smaller.
Buddy Check 12 Kits were made available through Baptist to help women get started with their own Buddy Check 12 system. The Kit includes reminder stickers for the 12th of every month as well as for annuals and other gynecological issues. It also includes educational material on Breast Cancer and how to know what a lump will feel like.
The Buddy Check 12 system works in three steps. First, it is important to call the Buddy Check 12 Hot Line at Baptist Health (904) 202-CARE to receive your own Buddy Check Kit.
Then, it is crucial that you pick your buddy. “Your buddy can be anyone,” says Blaylock. “It can be your mom, your sister, your friend, or your husband.” What’s important is that you have a buddy who you trust and cares about you.
Finally and most importantly, on the 12th of every month you will need to call your buddy and perform a self-examination. This is the call that could potentially save your life or the life of someone close to you. If you find a lump, make sure to call your doctor right away.
Today, Buddy Check 12 has saved the lives of 270 women locally, and those are just the ones that have come forward with their stories. It has also swept across the nation, now in 39 cities across the United States. The Buddy Check 12 system was working, and people were talking.
“Women are smart and sharp and want to stay alive for their families,” says Blaylock. “It’s the power of women [that spread Buddy Check 12]. I know men complain about women talking too much, but this time it was good.”
On Saturday, October 13, 2007 Making Strides against Breast Cancer will be marching down the streets of San Marco in protest. It is a protest against a disease that will affect more than 200,000 women this year alone, and claim the lives of 40,000. But it is also a march for change and a march for hope.
Since 1993, the American Cancer Society has used Making Strides as a way to gather the troops in the fight against breast cancer. Due to better technologies, advances in breast cancer treatment, and education on the importance of early detection, fewer and fewer will suffer at the hand of breast cancer this year. And every year, with the help of programs like Making Strides, the statistic will continue to get better and better.
The walk is typically around five miles long and most of the funds are raised through walker’s pledges and sponsorships. The walk will go on rain or shine and people are encouraged to walk as far as they can. You can also get involved by organizing a team of walkers and contacting the American Cancer Society for a Team Leader Kit. It is also an option to volunteer your time as either a committee member or on the day of the walk itself.
Since the onset of Making Strides 2.5 million people have walked across America in the fight against breast cancer, raising more than $160 million. That money goes toward research, education and early detection, genetic testing and risk reduction, treatment and access to care.
To become involved call 1-800-ACS-2345 or register online at acsevents.org/stridesonline. The website offers information on how to become involved in the event, event resources, and education material on what breast cancer is. It is never to late to fight the good fight.
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