October Is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month The Girls Holla Back! Graduation Celebration will be held on Thursday, November 1st from 7:30— 8:30pm at the St. Louis County Department of Health New Health Campus , 6121 North Hanley Road, Berkeley, MO 63134. We encourage all par- ticipants to begin inviting family and friends to at- tend the graduation and help celebrate this accom- plishment. Hollamates, make sure your class is represented at the graduation. Each class will need to represent by sharing a talent or information about what they learned from the program. Interested performers must see the program director, LaToshia Boyd-Lee, by October 25th to confirm a slot to perform. Be creative! MARK THE DATE! Girls Holla Back! Fall Class of 2012 Graduation Celebration Nov. 1, 2012 OCTOBER 2012 HOLLAGRAM Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a nationwide cam- paign intended to raise awareness of breast health, the growing breast cancer disparities that exist among women, and educating wom- en on the signs and actions for early detection. ■Breast cancer is the most common diagnosed cancer among Black women. ■Breast cancer tends to ap- pear in Black women at a younger age and in more advanced forms. ■Many women with early breast cancer have no symp- toms. Source : http:// blackwomenshealth.org/issues-and- resources/black-women-breast- cancer/ Source: (CDC: National Vital Statis- tics System: http:www.cdc.gov/ nchs/nvss.htm) Your Health Matters Did you know??? STDs among Youth in Missouri In 2009 - 43% of primary and secondary syphilis cases and 60% of early latent syphilis cases among youth resided in St. Louis City or St. Louis County. 14% of Missouri’s youth are African American. However, African Americans accounted for 44% of chlamydia cases, 67% of gonorrhea cases, 53% of primary and secondary syphilis cases, and 63% of early latent syphilis cases among youth in 2009. In 2012 - Gonorrhea has increased 12% compared to last year (2011). The 1308 cases reported through August represent the highest year to date total since 2007. Gonorrhea has in- creased almost equally between males (+12%) and females (+13%). Early syphilis (under one year duration) has increased 5%. While syphilis totals remain low in St. Louis County, cases among females have tripled from two to six compared to last year (2011). Get Educated; Know Your Status; & Protect Yourself….Because YOUR Health Matters! Data Source: St. Louis County Department of Health Communicable Disease Control Services Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services; Fact Sheet - STDs among Youth in Missouri “Quote Corner” “The part can never be well, unless the whole is well.” ~ Plato “To wish to be well is a part of becoming well.” ~ Seneca October Is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month Domestic Violence Aware- ness Month is a nationwide campaign intended to raise awareness of the epidemic affecting individuals in eve- ry community, regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, nationality or edu- cational background. ■One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. ■An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physi- cal assault by an intimate partner each year. If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship and wants help, please con- tact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800- 799-SAFE Source : NCADV Domestic Violence Facts Make sure you check out the Girls Holla Back! Web Site at: www.GirlsHollaBack.org Also, Friend Us on Facebook at: UMSL Girls Holla Back Or Follow Us on Twitter at: GirlsHollaBack_