Dr. Catherine McMillan, director of the Take Action Against Breast Cancer (TAABC) grant in the Northwestern State University Health and Human Performance Department, and assistant director Gina Hubachek are seeking opportunities to educate the public about breast health maintenance and breast cancer.  The two are also collaborating with CHRISTUS Coushatta Health Care Center to provide free mammograms to women who meet established financial criteria.

“We are in the process of identifying opportunities for TAABC to serve our communities,” Hubacheck said. “We are assembling educational materials to distribute at health fairs, informative seminars, service learning projects and by request.  We are working to establish ourselves as knowledgeable, compassionate breast  health advisors and to be effective liaisons between the community and the resources available to them.” 

“We’re taking a new direction and hoping to give the project new life,” McMillan said. 

Now in its third year, the TAABC grant is funded by the Northwest Louisiana affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and serves Natchitoches and Red River parishes. The grant focuses on education, awareness and providing mammograms to women who qualify for assistance. Other grant recipients in Louisiana’s northwest region include LSU Health Sciences Center, Saint Catherine of Siena Community and DeSoto Regional Health System. 

“Susan G. Komen wants to reach out to the underserved population, but we are here for everyone,” Hubachek said.  “We’d like to involve the community on many levels, not just the target audience of women over 40.  We’re here to serve women, men with women in their lives and co-survivors.” 

TAABC has become involved with the Natchitoches Wellness Coalition and has plans for NSU students and student-athletes to become engaged in related service-learning projects. They are also identifying key locations in which to provide information, such as hospitals, family service offices and Council on Aging facilities.  

“We are excited to partner with Susan G. Komen for the Cure and recognize the advantage of having Northwestern support our endeavors,” Hubachek said. 

For more information or to become involved with Take Action Against Breast Cancer, call (318) 357-5120 or e-mail takeactionabc@gmail.com.