 Currently, it is estimated that in California 1 in 20 Latinas will develop breast cancer during their lifetime (California Department of Health Services, 2010).  Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Latinas with an estimate of 2,200 deaths in 2009 (ACS, 2009b).  Latinas are 20% more likely to die of breast cancer than non- Latina Caucasian women diagnosed at a similar age and stage (Jemal, Clegg, & Ward, 2004).  For Latinas, their cultural beliefs play a pivotal role in their decision to get breast cancer screening (Simon, 2006).  The goal of this project was to develop and write a proposal to fund a breast cancer awareness campaign for Latinos who live in the Long Beach area.

 Social workers need to be at the forefront of ending health care disparities and promoting health and well-being of vulnerable populations. Breast cancer not only impacts a women’s life, it impacts her children, family, and community. To date, health care in the United States is still largely based on a European-American model. Several studies ( Simon, 2006; Wilkin et al., 2007) have documented the benefit of using culturally sensitive breast cancer prevention and treatment programs.

 Breast cancer can be a devastating effect on women and men around the world. Breast cancer not only impacts the lives of its victims but their children, families, and communities. Because women are disproportionately affected by breast cancer, its causes and effects should be scrutinized to save the lives of thousands of women dying at a yearly rate.

 Target Population: Adult Spanish-speaking Latinas of all ages in the Long Beach area.  Finding a funding source: Research was conducted utilizing the Grantsmanship Center website Grants were researched by their history of awards to health related issues.  Avon for Women Breast Health Outreach Program (BHOP) provides grants to community- based, non-profit breast health programs including: campaigning, free screening, and follow-up care.

 Cancer facts & figures for Hispanics/Latinos (ACS, 2009b) from the American Cancer Society provided sources for the needs assessment for the target population.  Project budget: $25,000-$40,000.  Expenses: 1-Operating and expenses, 2-“Vida Sana Para la Mujer de Hoy” campaign event. 3- Salaries and wages. 4-Self in-king resources.

 Program Summary & Population Served: The goal of this project is to provide breast cancer education prevention, screening, and treatment services to Latinas who live in Long Beach, California. Specifically, the campaign will target Spanish-speaking adult Latinas of all ages.  Campaign will only be a one time even for three days in October 2012.

 Program Objections: Objective 1: Latinas in the Long Beach Greater Area will have an increase knowledge of the “Vida Sana Para la Mujer de Hoy” campaign event by the media campaign by television commercials or the bulletins of religious institutions. Objective 2: Latinas attending the “Vida Sana Para la Mujer de Hoy” on either of the two day campaign event will be educated or participate on different screenings for breast cancer. Objective 3: Latinas will be educated on follow-up services according to their needs. The participants will also have the opportunity to complete surveys on the campaign event.  Program Evaluation: The success of the campaign will be measured by the number of mammograms conducted during the entire 3 day event.

 Social workers need to be at the forefront of ending health care disparities and promoting health and well-being of vulnerable populations. Creating a program that can aid in the empowering and educating of a vulnerable population creates a ripple effect in changing the lives of individuals, their families, and their communities. The ability to recognize, create, and implement such a program can continue to positively impact the grant writer, agency and the community even after the program has ended.

 American Cancer Society. (2009b). Cancer facts & figures for Hispanics/Latinos Atlanta, GA: Author.  California Department of Health Services. (2010). A women’s guide to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Sacramento, CA: Author.  Jemal, A., Clegg, L., & Ward, E. (2004). Annual report to the nation on the status of cancer, , with a special feature regarding survival. Cancer, 101(1),  Simon, C. (2006). Breast cancer screening: Cultural beliefs and diverse populations. Health & Social Work, 31(1),  Wilkin, H. W., Valente, T. W., Murphy, S., Cody, M. J., Huang, G., & Beck, V. (2007). Does entertainment-education work with Latinos in the United States? Identification and the effects of a telenovela breast cancer storyline. Journal of Health Communication, 12(5),