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Gift of Life recognized at council meeting for breast and ovarian cancer awareness
Summary
Beaumont council received a proclamation honoring Gift of Life and its volunteers for breast and ovarian cancer awareness; medical director and survivors spoke about the importance of screening and outreach.
Beaumont City Council on Sept. 16 presented a proclamation to Gift of Life recognizing breast and ovarian cancer awareness and the nonprofit's outreach in Southeast Texas. Representatives from Gift of Life thanked the council and described the group's ongoing screening, treatment referrals and education efforts.
Regina Rogers, speaking for Gift of Life, said the organization has operated for 28 years and credited local medical partners. "We have a wonderful group here," Rogers said, noting that the nonprofit has provided thousands of mammograms and that, in the past two years, 25 women received treatment as a result of Gift of Life outreach.
Dr. Gwendolyn Lobelay, the organization's medical director, told the council that screenings save lives and cautioned that Pap smears are not screening tests for ovarian cancer. "A lot of women think that when they have a Pap smear, that is screening for ovarian cancer. It is not," Dr. Lobelay said, and encouraged women to raise symptoms with their physicians, including bloating, early satiety and changes in bowel or urinary habits.
Nut graf: The proclamation framed Gift of Life as a long-standing local nonprofit that provides diagnostic access, treatment referrals and prevention education; council members recognized volunteers and survivors in the meeting room.
Supporting details: Regina Rogers read a letter from Allison Lowe, an ovarian-cancer patient, and listed other volunteers and survivors present. The council encouraged attendance at Gift of Life events, including a local 5K and awareness events that were announced during the meeting.
Ending: Council members and staff thanked volunteers for their service and urged residents to learn screening signs and participate in local awareness events.
