Foundation hosts first cancer awareness fair

The Joliet Oncology Hematology Associates Foundation held its first Breast Cancer Awareness Fair on Oct. 21, 2011 at JOHA, 2614 W. Jefferson St., Joliet.

After advertising locally about the event, the JOHA Foundation was helped 35 women who received a free breast exam by one of the available medical doctors, Dr. Abboud, Dr. Burhani, Dr. Gustafson, Dr. Macrinici or Dr. Hiser. The participants were also shown how to properly perform a self breast exam, they received a voucher for a free digital mammogram at Future Diagnostic Group in Joliet, and they received a goody bag full of information about self care and nutrition.

Because the cancer awareness fair was a great success, the JOHA Foundation hopes to host more fairs through 2012. Look for upcoming fairs in 2012 for prostate cancer, colorectal cancer and another for breast cancer.

Through these cancer awareness fairs, the JOHA Foundation hopes to not only educate the community about these cancers, but the Foundation also strives to financially assist those that may not have insurance coverage and those who simply cannot afford the out of pocket expenses of basic screening tests for cancer.

The JOHA Foundation is a non-for-profit organization; the charity arm of JOHA. Its mission is “To enhance the quality of life for patients and survivors of cancer by fostering efforts to improve education and provide financial assistance to cancer patients and their families as needed throughout the community.”