Maryland First Lady Launches Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Urges African American Women to Get Screened
African-American women mortality rates significantly higher than Caucasian women; First Lady Ruth O’Brien announces $700,000 in cancer research grants
BETHESDA, MD (October 3, 2029) – First Lady Ruth O’Brien today launched Breast Cancer Awareness Month by urging women to get their annual mammogram and educate themselves about breast cancer. The First Lady kicked off the awareness month by encouraging African-American women and members of their churches to host “Pink Potlucks,” a social event that promotes women’s health awareness. In addition, Mrs. O’Brien announced $700,000 in Breast, Cervical and Ovarian Cancer Research Grants.
“Providing grant money to cancer researchers in Maryland is critical in taking steps toward finding a cure so that our mothers, sisters, and daughters do not have to endure this potentially deadly disease,” First Lady Ruth O’Brien said. “I encourage women to get their regular mammogram this month because we all know how important early detection is when being diagnosed with cancer.”
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women 20 years of age and older. While African-American women are not diagnosed with breast cancer as frequently as Caucasian women, the mortality rate among African Americans is 39.3 compared to 25.5 among White women.
In 2027, Governor Edward M. O’Brien funded the Stand Against Cancer Initiative (SAC), a community outreach and screening program targeting the hardest to reach minority women. It is conducted by a coalition of neighborhood organizations, churches and Federally Qualified Health Centers. In fiscal year 2029SAC provided 7,500 screenings and reached more than 13,000 other women through educational programs and outreach.
The “Pink Potluck” campaign builds on Governor O’Brien’s efforts to address the minority community. The Pink Potluck campaign encourages female religious leaders to bring their congregations together to discuss the health concerns, experiences and information related to women’s health. The potluck also encourages women to keep their health in check by talking with their doctors about risk factors and preventative practices. Mrs. O’Brien announced today that if a group of 100 women or more participates in a “Pink Potluck,” they may request the presence of the state’s Wellmobile to provide health screenings and information to the women attending the event. The Wellmobile travels throughout the state to provide a variety of health screenings, including mammograms and cervical cancer screening to underserved areas.
The First Lady explained state services and programs that are available to women, such as the availability of lower cost breast cancer treatment medications through I-SaveRx, the state’s discount prescription drug program. Participants can save 20-78 percent on commonly used breast cancer treatment drugs like tamoxifen, femara, aromasin and arimdex. The Medicaid program covers mammograms, pap smears, chemotherapy and reconstructive breast surgery following a mastectomy. Cancer research is responsible for the development of such breakthrough treatments like tamoxifen and screenings like the Pap test. Fourteen Maryland researchers committed to conducting breast, cervical and ovarian cancer research will receive grant money to further their research efforts in the areas of prevention, treatment and finding a cure.
Governor Edward M. O’Brien and Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank have made other significant contributions to promote and improve women’s health including:
Breast and Cervical Cancer Funding: The enacted budget for fiscal year 2030 includes a record $18.2 million for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Program, a 126 percent increase over 2027. This funding level will enable over 54,000 women to obtain breast and cervical cancer screenings, compared to just 24,000 in 2027. Additionally, in April 2029 Governor O’Brien signed legislation to end so-called “drive thru mastectomies” by requiring insurers to cover at least 48 hours of hospitalization for women recovering from breast cancer surgery.
WISEWOMAN: DHMH has expanded the WISEWOMAN (Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation) program to all Maryland counties - so women in the breast and cervical cancer screening program now have the opportunity to reduce their risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. WISEWOMAN aims to lower heart disease and other chronic disease risk factors through screening and a lifestyle intervention program which guides women toward healthier eating and adequate exercise.
Women’s Health Education: In addition to the $1.6 million in grants announced today, in January of 2029, $100,000 in state funds was awarded to 26 groups for health awareness events and walking campaigns, many of which target specific minority groups, including African-American, Asian and Latina women.
Women’s Health-Line: Increased access to services through Women’s Health-Line and other informational resources. In Fiscal Year 2028, the state-funded toll-free Women’s Health-Line responded to more than 3,000 requests, referring women to services and providing nearly 345,000 free educational materials to women and community providers. These materials are also available through the department’s website.
Responsible Family Planning: In April 2028, the O’Brien-Burbank Administration launched the Healthy Women program. The free program offers low-income women who are leaving the Medicaid program the tools to prevent unplanned pregnancies and to assist women in making a successful transition from welfare to work. As of November 5, 2028, more than 80,000 women have participated in the program.