Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Letter To Editor - Give Gift Of Life

Spring is approaching, and signs of the new life it brings are already showing. Celebrations such as Easter and Mother's Day honor this tradition of renewal through family festivities, community events and gift giving.

The question always presents itself, "What am I going to give as a gift?" In our busy lives we seem to forget the reason for giving gifts. Sometimes this reason is overshadowed by lack of time or money, and sometimes it is simply the lack of an idea for a gift, because the people in our lives seem to have so much already.

This season your readers can give a gift that everyone needs, everyone can afford and everyone can give. It is the gift of life.

Each year 400 Arkansas women die of breast cancer. The Arkansas General Assembly passed the Arkansas Breast Cancer Act in 1997 to provide all women with the information and resources they need to defend themselves against this deadly disease. Women over 40 who have no health insurance or are under-insured may now be eligible for free mammograms and, if breast cancer is diagnosed, treatment will be provided through the Arkansas Breast Care Program.

Each one of us has a woman in our lives dear to us  a mother, grandmother, daughter, aunt, niece, friend. It is up to us to encourage them to take care of themselves. By urging them to educate themselves on breast cancer, perform monthly breast self-exams and schedule annual clinical exams and mammograms, we can do just that. Their lives and ours will be fuller, longer and healthier because of it.

This gift is simple to give and expresses everything a gift should  love, concern, compassion and need. For information about the BreastCare program or to determine eligibility for the women in your life, call 1-877-670-2273. Enjoy this spring and the new life it brings.

Percy Malone

State Senator