MTA, HealthPlus and CBS Outdoor Jump "On Board" to Fight Cancer

The Mass Transportation Authority, along with CBS Outdoor, HealthPlus and the American Cancer Society-East Michigan unveiled its Making Strides Against Breast Cancer bus. The three organizations teamed up to sponsor a fully wrapped pink bus to show their support of the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" campaign. A wrapped bus is dedicated to the public in memory of those lost to breast cancer, in honor of breast cancer survivors celebrating life as well as those fighting breast cancer today.

In 2011, it was estimated that 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women as well an estimated 57,650 "in situ" (located in the ducts or lobules). 

"We are very proud to be a part of the American Cancer Society's "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk," Ed Benning, MTA General Manager, stated. "Hundreds of thousands of women are affected by this disease each year. By creating a pink bus in memory of those lost to breast cancer, and the survivors celebrating life, the MTA is showing its support and creating awareness within the community of this very worthy cause."

October is "breast cancer awareness" month, however, the pink bus will be "spreading the word" for a full year. 

"When our community partners heard about what we were doing, they were eager to take part in such a worthy cause," Benning said.

HealthPlus is fully behind the Breast Cancer Awareness Project.

"Our support of the Pink Bus project is one of the many activities HealthPlus has planned to help raise  awareness of breast cancer and the importance of preventative screening, " said HealthPlus Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Richard Frank. "The project is aligned with our vision of a healthier community and our commitment to addressing women's health issues, especially those in urban areas where breast cancer screening rates are statistically lower."

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women (excluding skin cancer) and the second leading cause of death in woman after lung cancer. Thanks in part to the continuing work of the American Cancer Society, breast cancer rates have declined more than 32 percent since 1990. The five year survival rate for breast cancer that has not spread is 98 percent.

"We have had many people in our organization that have been affected by cancer and for that reason we wanted to be involved," Benning added.  And, the American Cancer Society is glad they did.

"The American Cancer Society (ACS) couldn't be more excited about this partnership," Jennifer Beamer, Associate Director of the American Cancer Society, Great Lakes Division, said. "MTA is making a huge impact in the fight against breast cancer by helping spread awareness and by showing support for the thousands of individuals that participate in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk here in Flint. We know that one in every two women newly diagnosed with breast cancer reach out to the ACS for support and resources and we are confident that this bus will help continue to grow that number so that more women and men will know that they can reach out and receive help from ACS too."

A Facebook Page has also been created.  Entitled, "The Pink Bus," the general public can post statements and remembrances on the site.

For those interested in joining in the 5k walk taking place October 27, 2012 in downtown Flint, or to make a donation, go to:  www.makingstrides.acsevents.org