WASHINGTON (October 7, 2019) – The Howard University Cancer Center will hold the annual Rosemary Williams Breast Cancer Brunch on Sunday, Oct. 13 to spotlight Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Howard University Hospital and the Cancer Center have long spearheaded programs to meet the needs of women lacking access to care in the metro region.

“We are very excited to see the community embrace the mission of the Cancer Center and help us achieve our fundraising goals,” says Carla Williams, Ph.D, interim director of the Howard University Cancer Center.  “African-American women are more likely to die from breast cancer than women from any other race or ethnicity. There remains a lot of work to be done.”

The Howard University Cancer Center will host Sunday's breast cancer brunch at Martin’s Crosswinds, 7400 Greenway Center Drive, Green Belt, MD 20770, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. More than 200 guests are expected to attend the event. The Rosemary Williams Breast Cancer Brunch honors the late Rosemary Williams who was a tireless advocate for equal access to quality health care for underserved women. To honor Williams’ legacy, the funds raised from the brunch will support our high quality breast cancer disparity programs. Andrea Roane, breast cancer advocate and former co-anchor of 9News Now on WUSA9, will serve as the mistress of ceremonies. For more information about the brunch, visit here.

This year’s brunch will feature presentation of the “Lasalle D. Leffall Jr. Legacy Award” to Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick. The “Lori L. Wilson Conquering Cancer Award” will be presented to Lori L. Wilson, M.D., director of the Surgery Residency Program at Howard University Hospital, cancer liaison physician for the Cancer Center, and co-chair the breast cancer brunch. In addition, HUH labor and delivery nurse Roberta Bell will receive the “Kimberly Higginbotham Caring Service Award.”

Proceeds from the Rosemary Williams Breast Cancer Brunch will be used to support the following Breast Cancer Disparities Programs:

• The Rosemary Williams Mammoday Breast Cancer Screening Program provides free and low cost breast cancer screening, diagnostic services, and patient navigation for uninsured women. For 15 years, Mammoday has been a consistent community resource for women who face a variety of barriers to accessing health care.
• The Transdisciplinary Breast Clinic provides a patient-centered approach to breast cancer care. Women receive same day, coordinated care from an elite team of cancer specialists. This approach reduces patient burden and enhances the overall quality of care.
• The Equal Access to Genetic Testing Fund assists patients for whom genetic testing is indicated and recommended by the Cancer Care team. Such tests are not covered by insurance.
• Bi-lingual Patient Navigator to assist women with overcoming cultural and linguistic barriers to care across the breast cancer continuum.

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About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States.  For more information on Howard University visit www.howard.edu

Email sholnn.freeman@howard.edu for press inquiries.