October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October should be
renamed “Women Health Issues Awareness Month”. This month is mostly known for
being Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Have you missed the pink?). Trust me, I am
all about saving the Ta-Ta’s, especially since my best friend’s mom is a survivor
and has been a surrogate mom to me since forever! However, this month is also Domestic
Violence Awareness Month (Bring on the purple ribbons!). I wonder if the
champions of these two great causes have ever worked together to bring
education and awareness to women under one “roof?” Has it ever
occurred to the community that women suffering from cancer who are in an
abusive relationship do not get adequate medical care? As an Advocate, I
clearly remember having a client who was a cancer patient and she feared going
to treatment because although she had finally left, her abuser was able to
track her down by following her to her doctor’s appointments.
It took a lot of
advocacy and educating her doctors of why it was important to keep her
information private and most importantly, not to charge her health insurance. I
wonder if cancer advocates would consider creating a fund to help domestic
violence victims to receive cancer care and support without having to depend on
their abusers for medical insurance and care? I also wonder when the NFL or any
other multi-million dollar sport will begin to bring awareness to this epidemic
like they did last year when they wore pink while on the football field. If
folks still think that domestic violence is a “family” or “private
issue,” then they do not know half of it. This issue is one that has and
will continue to affect the community- especially if we choose not to take a
stand and hold accountable those who inflict pain and suffering on those they
are supposed to love and respect most. If you think this issue stays at home,
you are wrong. So with that said, while you are being “showered” in
pink with commercials asking you to support breast cancer awareness, take a
second and think how we can get purple included
in these conversations. Thank you.
renamed “Women Health Issues Awareness Month”. This month is mostly known for
being Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Have you missed the pink?). Trust me, I am
all about saving the Ta-Ta’s, especially since my best friend’s mom is a survivor
and has been a surrogate mom to me since forever! However, this month is also Domestic
Violence Awareness Month (Bring on the purple ribbons!). I wonder if the
champions of these two great causes have ever worked together to bring
education and awareness to women under one “roof?” Has it ever
occurred to the community that women suffering from cancer who are in an
abusive relationship do not get adequate medical care? As an Advocate, I
clearly remember having a client who was a cancer patient and she feared going
to treatment because although she had finally left, her abuser was able to
track her down by following her to her doctor’s appointments.
It took a lot of
advocacy and educating her doctors of why it was important to keep her
information private and most importantly, not to charge her health insurance. I
wonder if cancer advocates would consider creating a fund to help domestic
violence victims to receive cancer care and support without having to depend on
their abusers for medical insurance and care? I also wonder when the NFL or any
other multi-million dollar sport will begin to bring awareness to this epidemic
like they did last year when they wore pink while on the football field. If
folks still think that domestic violence is a “family” or “private
issue,” then they do not know half of it. This issue is one that has and
will continue to affect the community- especially if we choose not to take a
stand and hold accountable those who inflict pain and suffering on those they
are supposed to love and respect most. If you think this issue stays at home,
you are wrong. So with that said, while you are being “showered” in
pink with commercials asking you to support breast cancer awareness, take a
second and think how we can get purple included
in these conversations. Thank you.
Spanish