October 25, 2022
With a wide reach, trusted on-air personalities and access to local experts, America’s radio and TV stations are uniquely positioned to share important public health information with their communities. This October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and year round, broadcast stations are connecting their audiences with information, community leaders and special events to raise awareness of the importance of cancer screening.
Nexstar Media Group’s Phil 17 in Philadelphia, Pa., spoke with Dr. DaCarla Albright from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania about breast cancer screening and awareness, especially for women of color.
ABC 13 in Las Vegas, Nev., a Scripps Local Media station, put the spotlight on breast cancer awareness by highlighting a unique local event, “Bras for A Cause.” The event features men dressed up in dramatically designed bras created by the models themselves and raises money to send a survivor on a retreat with other survivors from across the country through the Send Me on Vacation nonprofit. “It takes your mind off of what you’re really dealing with,” said breast cancer survivor Tawuana Carroll. “It gives you that support, that positive, that happy, that silly; it’s just amazing.”
ABC owned-and-operated ABC 7 Chicago profiled a local organization, Embrace Emily, helping women suffering with breast cancer with the financial burdens of the diagnosis. "I thought, 'This is it. This is the hope I've been waiting for.' And it was a game-changer after that," said patient Diana Vargas about the nonprofit’s work. "This means that now, I'm able to get treatment. I'm able to not work two jobs."
Jacksonville, Fla.’s First Coast News, owned by TEGNA, ran a two-week campaign this summer to promote the reveal of the Buddy Bus, a mobile mammography unit paid for by contributions from the community. The name of the bus is a reference to the station’s 30-year effort, Buddy Check, which has encouraged women and men to do monthly breast self-checks. “The entire reason we are doing this is to save more lives,” said First Coast News Anchor Jeannie Blaylock. "Mammograms save lives. We just need to get people to get out and do it."
Host Denise Plante from Denver’s iHeartMedia-owned 106.7 The Bull emceed the 30th annual Cattle Baron’s Ball with country duo LoCash, helping to raise $1.26 million for the American Cancer Society. Plante became the celebrity ambassador for the event after her father died from cancer. "I never want another person to go through what my dad did or a family member to watch their loved ones fight this horrible disease," said Plante. "I will continue to help support research until a cure is found."
Audacy Boston radio stations helped raise over $3.8 million for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the 19th annual "WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon." This year's event brought the fundraising total to over $62 million since the radio-telethon's inception. The radio-telethon was started by WEEI, The Jimmy Fund and the Boston Red Sox in 2002. "We’re completely inspired to see the New England community from so many different walks of life come together to support Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s selfless mission," said Tim Clarke, senior vice president and market manager, Audacy Boston. "The annual ‘Jimmy Fund’ event is synonymous with this region and, in a year where we’ve faced adversity unlike any other, being able to unite with our audience to help strike out cancer is a true testament to our resiliency."
More than 2.47 million American jobs depend on broadcasting, and the local broadcast radio and television industry - and the businesses that depend on it - generate $1.17 trillion annually for the nation's economy.
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