Mama Ninfa Promotes Tell A Friend Campaign to Save Lives

Ninfa Laurenzo, founder of the Ninfa's restaurant chain, was named honorary chair of this year's American Cancer Society's Tell A Friend campaign, which kicked off Oct. 1, to promote National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Laurenzo was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 1999 and again this year.

"She sends a very important message to all women about the importance of getting checked and following mammography screening guidelines," said Desiree Gonzales, early detection director of the American Cancer Society Houston metro market. "Ninfa reminds everyone she knows to have a mammogram and to practice good breast health year 'round. She's not only a legend in the restaurant business, she's a survivor because of detecting her cancer at a very early stage."

The Tell A Friend program is a simple one in which volunteers call five of their friends, co-workers, neighbors or relatives, and encourage them to have a mammogram. The caller tracks their progress and it is hoped that by the end of October, their five subjects will have had a mammogram or will have scheduled one.

By calling the American Cancer Society, volunteers will receive a kit that contains breast health information, screening guidelines, places to go for free or low-cost mammograms and a brochure containing answers to frequently asked questions about breast health.

Laurenzo lost three of her sisters to breast cancer, including her twin 13 years ago.

"Though family history is a risk factor, the biggest risk factor is being a woman and getting older," said Laurenzo. "Please call the American Cancer Society and tell your friends about this program. It could save their lives."

More than 4,000 women in Harris County will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. When detected at its earliest stage, the survival rate for breast cancer is 96 percent.

For more information, call the American Cancer Society at (713) 266-2877 or 1-800-ACS-2345, or visit the Web site at http://www.cancer.org.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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