First Posted: 3/3/2015
TOLEDO — Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women in the United States.
According to breastcancer.org, about one in eight women will develop an invasive form of the illness at some point in her lifetime. Overall, African American women under the age of 45 are more likely to have breast cancer, and overall, die from the illness, than any other race.
That’s where Susan G. Komen Northwest Ohio’s Minority Breast Health Coordinator Amber Currie comes in.
“Working on the reduction of minority health disparities is a real passion of mine,” Currie said.
New to the position, the coordinator used to serve at the Center for Health and Successful Living as a health education volunteer. Currie also has a master’s degree in public health from the University of Michigan-Flint and a bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University.
Though her first day was Feb. 10, Currie already has a lot on her list of things to do. Overall, she’s responsible for community outreach and education of breast health and prevention for Allen, Erie and Lucas counties.
The effort is emphasized through the Mission for Minority Breast Health project, which will send eight women to each county to help its communities learn more about breast health, breast cancer, healthy living and prevention.
The initiative is funded by a grant awarded to the organization through a partnership with Walgreens and focuses on African American and Latino/Hispanic women.
“To improve people’s quality of life through promoting breast health and taking preventative measures is very important to me,” Currie said.
