County hears survivors and clinicians, advances ovarian, blood-cancer and sickle-cell awareness resolutions

Several Cook County residents and clinicians testified in support of resolutions recognizing ovarian cancer awareness and blood cancer and sickle cell awareness during the Sept. 18, 2024, board meeting.

Debbie Shepherd, an ovarian cancer survivor, told commissioners she supported file 245189 and urged the county to recognize September as ovarian cancer awareness month. "It's very important to raise awareness and provide increased education about ovarian cancer because there's currently no screening test for this disease," Shepherd said. Her remarks were echoed by Sherry, another survivor who described a late-stage diagnosis and lengthy treatment.

Dr. Anita (Anita Lee in the transcript) — identified as a gynecologic oncologist at the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center — told the board that about 75 to 80 percent of ovarian cancer diagnoses present at stage 3 or 4 and that recurrence risk is roughly 50 percent, underscoring the lack of effective screening and the importance of education, genetic testing and equitable access to care.

On related matters, Dr. Kyle Mack, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist, and Nicole Bullock, founder and CEO of the Nicole Cares Foundation, spoke in support of Cook County recognition for Blood Cancer and Sickle Cell Awareness Month (resolution references in the transcript include 24-5175 and a related resolution number cited as 242175). Dr. Mack said clinicians treat pediatric blood cancers and sickle cell disease regularly, described serious complications such as stroke and life-threatening infections, and urged support for blood and bone-marrow donation. "Hopefully, by recognizing September as blood cancer sickle cell awareness month in Cook County, we can encourage folks to remember that these patients need our help," Dr. Mack said. Bullock described conducting a blood drive that has helped hundreds of donors and noted the importance of targeted outreach to African American communities.

Commissioner sponsors and other board members thanked advocates and health professionals. The ovarian-cancer and blood-cancer awareness items were among matters the board advanced in the consent calendar vote; commissioners posed for photos with honorees and advocates after the vote.

Next steps: the resolutions provide county recognition and visibility; further action (such as public-education campaigns or targeted grant funding) would require separate programmatic motions or departmental action.