News Release Index
Click on the hotlink to open the original press release as a Word document.

1) JANUARY IS NATIONAL CERVICAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
originally released January 4, 2008 

January is National Cervical Health Awareness Month. Although cervical cancer is highly treatable, about 4,000 women die from cervical cancer in the United States every year.

2) BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER SCREENINGS ARE A FAMILY AFFAIR
originally released November 28, 2007 

If she isn't sewing a one-of-a-kind Pendelton jacket or purse, you can probably find Juanita Giron-Vargas of Fort Totten (now living in Page, N.D.), caring for her grandchildren.

3) GETTING REGULAR BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER SCREENINGS SETS AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS
originally released October 25, 2007 

It is a crisp fall day, and Frances Allard-Abbott, an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, Dunseith, N.D., is busy in her kitchen among the many Mason jars and lids she is using for canning pickles.

4) OCTOBER IS NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
originally released October 10, 2007 

Statistics show that one out of eight women in North Dakota will get breast cancer in her lifetime.

5) WESTHOPE WOMAN TELLS WOMEN TO MAKE TIME FOR MAMMOGRAMS
Paula Mundt - Westhope, N.D.
originally released October 10, 2007 

It had been 10 years since Paula Mundt had a mammogram or Pap test.

6) SURVIVOR URGES OTHERS NOT TO KEEP THE SECRET: THERE IS A WAY WITH WOMEN'S WAY
Kathryn Wentz - Bismarck, N.D.
originally released April, 2007 

Kathryn Wentz, 50, knew for at least a year the lump in her breast was probably cancerous, but she kept it a secret.

7) HOLIDAY HUSTLE LEAVES SCREENINGS ON BACK BURNER
Danette Kubas - Dickinson, N.D.
originally released January 5, 2006

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, Danette Kubas often put things off until later. 


8) BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR SERVES A SLICE OF SCREENING ADVICE
Diane Hager - Dawson, N.D.
originally released October 4, 2005

You’ll find Dawson Café owner, Diane Hager, buzzing around the tables with a pot of coffee in one hand and a plate in the other.

9) PRIDE FOR HER PEOPLE PROMPTS NURSE TO SPREAD SCREENING AWARENESS
Marsha Blueshield - Fort Totten, N.D.
originally released March 2, 2005

Marsha, a nurse for 25 years with the Spirit Lake Tribe, knows how important breast and cervical cancer screenings are.

10) DAY-CARE PROVIDER MAKES TIME TO GET SCREENINGS
Karen Waelhof - Zeeland, N.D.
originally released January 5, 2005

From 7:30 in the morning until 8 in the evening, you’ll find Karen, with help from her sister, nurturing children.

11) THE ART OF REBUILDING AFTER BREAST CANCER
Llynne Schnitzer - Garrison, N.D.
originally released September 28, 2004

Lynne, a mother of three, a grandmother, and artist, says the key to creating beautiful works of stained glass is patience.


12) Women's Way May Provide a Way to Pay
General overview of program and screening numbers. (Updated September 2004)

13) Center Woman Gets Help With Breast Cancer Recovery
Pearal Suchan - Center, N.D.
originally released June 23, 2004

When it’s a pretty day on the prairie you can probably find Pearl Suchan and her husband Don at the banks of the Missouri fishing for walleye.

14) Bead Necklace Shows Early Detection Benefits
Women’s Way bead necklace sets are available as an educational tool for volunteers, health care providers and others interested in promoting breast and cervical cancer early detection. The beads are a three-dimensional illustration showing how breast screenings can detect cancers earlier.

15) Women's Way Makes A Difference For Lisbon Family
Michelle Roberts - Lisbon, N.D.,
originally released January 2, 2004

Michelle Roberts, devoted wife and mother of three, knew regular screenings were important, but she didn't have insurance. She used the Women's Way program to get checked.

16) Every Woman Deserves Basic Health Screenings
originally released November 6, 2003

Janet Jacobson of Wales, N.D., loves the moment of solitude she steals from her busy life on the farm.

17) Volunteer’s Voice Inspires Statewide Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign
originally released September 29, 2003

Marleen Stammen of Palermo, N.D.,wanted to tell others about the importance of regular breast and cervical screenings.

18) Women’s Way Provides Help With Dignity
originally released June 5, 2003

Arleen Slaamot of Williston found herself at a dangerous low point in her life. She was overdue for her regular health screenings, but she didn’t have insurance and she didn’t want to take charity.

19) Because Other People Depend On Us
Elaine Keepseagle – Fort Yates, N.D.,
originally released February 24, 2003

Elaine Keepseagle is a volunteer and an enrollee with the Women’s Way program. She understands why some women don’t seek regular screenings because of a fear of the mammogram procedure or perhaps the awkwardness of seeing a male physician. She takes every opportunity to promote health and regular screenings.

Elaine serves as a health educator in Fort Yates. Governor Hoeven appointed her to the North Dakota committee on aging where she brings health concerns in her community to the attention of others.

20) Make Time to Get Checked
Gerry Haas – Elgin, N.D.,
originally released January 28, 2003

Gerry Haas is a cervical cancer survivor. A busy farm wife, Gerry raised three children and worked two part time jobs to help supplement the lean farming income. She didn’t have time or the financial means to seek her regular Pap test until coworkers told her about the Women’s Way program. Her cervical cancer was detected early. Early diagnosis helped save her life.

21) Take Time to Take Care of You
Belinda Becker – West Fargo, N.D.,
originally released October 7, 2002

Belinda Becker lost many family members to cancer. She understood the importance of regular screenings. A divorce and move left Belinda without the means to seek her annual mammogram. Then she heard about Women’s Way from a friend.

22) On a Mission To Help
Sandra Jacobson - Rugby, N.D.,
originally released June 25, 2002

Sandra Jacobson’s experience highlights a woman who successfully battled cancer but found herself without insurance or a way to pay for her follow-up mammograms. Women’s Way gave her assurance when she didn’t have insurance.

23) Do You See What I See?
Carla Folske - Bowman, N.D.,
originally released May 16, 2002

Carla Folske, a Family Nurse Practitioner, attended a Women’s Way sponsored training session on clinical breast exams. She learned about the importance of visually examining breasts during annual exams. The training helped her spot a breast mass that could not be felt during her patient’s clinical breast exam.

24) Friends For Life
Sue Farsdale - Wahpeton, N.D.,
originally released April 1, 2002

Sue Farsdale’s experience highlights a woman who gives her time to care for her family and her community but didn’t take the time to care for herself until a good friend, Carol Jacobson, made her promise to get checked.

25) Those Who Pay the Price Are Those You Leave Behind
Jan Sott - Cavalier, N.D.,
originally released March 1, 2002

Jan Sott is a single mother who knows the importance of regular breast and cervical exams. Jan used the Women's Way program to help pay for her yearly breast and cervical exams.

26) Jamestown Woman Calls Herself A Breast Cancer Screening Crusader
Nancy Lou Jensen - Jamestown, N.D.,
originally released March 1, 2002

Nancy Lou Jensen survived a breast cancer scare because of early detection. Today, Nancy Lou carries Women’s Way pamphlets in her car to make sure other women can learn about early detection and financial services available through Women’s Way for yearly breast and cervical screenings.

27) Don’t Let the Fear of Knowing Prevent You from Getting Checked
Gladys Hawk - Fort Yates, N.D.,
originally released December 17, 2001

One of the reasons women do not seek yearly breast and cervical exams is fear of the unknown. Gladys Hawk, a breast cancer survivor and member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, understands this fear and urges women to get screened regularly.

28) Farm Wife Urges Other Women To Get Checked
Clementine Urlacher - Reeder, N.D.,
originally released November 21, 2001

North Dakota’s farm women are a vulnerable population of women because they are often too busy or do not have the means to pay for yearly breast and cervical cancer screenings. Women’s Way provides a way to pay.

29) No Insurance? Women’s Way Can Pay.
Marleen Stammen- Palermo, N.D.,
originally released October 9, 2001

When Marleen Stammen’s husband died, not only had she lost her spouse of nearly 35 years, she also lost her insurance. This made the prospect of maintaining her yearly medical check-ups financially difficult, difficult until Marleen learned about the Women’s Way program.