Viewpoint
November 7, 2008 Arkansas United Methodist 3
By the time you read this a new
An Occasional Word
deeply about what we do in the
president will have been chosen. USA than we can even begin to
The pundits and “talking heads”
from the Bishop
imagine. What we do matters.
will have had a chance to tell us We are far more interconnected
why we did as we did. Our reasons than we realize.
for selecting the new president will Third, the Scottish store clerk
have been analyzed ad nausea. Our dential election. Karen and I were day, I went to a reminded me that, regardless of the
hopes will have soared if our team in Edinburgh, Scotland, attending the “Boots” (drug person for whom our vote is cast,
has won, or will be depressed if our University of Edinburgh. I had to go store) for some those who aspire to leadership, and
team has lost. The stock market to the U.S. consulate to get my soap. As I
Charles Crutchfield
particularly those who attain high
will have reacted. Foreign heads of absentee ballot certified. On election approached the checkout counter office, need our support and good-
state will have sent greetings and night the BBC, British Broadcasting the store clerk said to me, “I think will, and, most profoundly, our
congratulations to the new presi- Company, had an “Election Central” he’ll be alright.” Puzzled, I asked prayer.
dent. Speculation will have begun all set up to look just like something “Who?” She responded, “Why Mr. I hope you will join me each
in earnest regarding who the new from NBC. It was Nixon, Nixon, of course. I’m willing to give day in praying for our nation’s
cabinet members will be. (Please Humphrey and Wallace contending. him a chance.” leaders. And while you are in
note that neither of the candidates The poor British commentator kept I learned three things. First, conversation with God, don’t forget
has contacted me about being trying to explain the electoral college Americans stick out like a sore to remember your pastors, church
Secretary of State!) The world system, but he never got it right. thumb. I was dressed in clothes staff, the conference office and me.
press will hang on every word the The returns started coming in about bought in Scotland, had a haircut Faithfully,
newly elected president speaks. midnight Edinburgh time. We stayed by a Scottish barber, and had not
Every time we go through this, up all night watching. spoken a word. She recognized me.
I am reminded of the 1968 presi- Somewhat bleary-eyed the next Second, the world cares more
Minority women needed in the Spit for the Cure
By DEENA MARIE HAMILTON
Nursing at UAMS, I recognize the ipate in follow-up studies. All infor- as a recruiter for the study at the
urgency for African-American women mation will be kept confidential. Women’s Health Symposium Sept. 13
What started out as a promise to to participate in the study. “It has become clear that an indi- at Philander Smith College. The event
Nancy G. Brinker’s dying sister, Susan As a United Methodist pastor, I vidual’s inherited profile and environ- was a success, but they are a long way
G. Komen, 25 years ago has become a feel that participation in the research mental exposures will decide, to a from the much needed 8,000 partici-
monumental event study is appropriate because it pro- large degree, that individual’s risk of pants. They are willing to come to
in lives of women vides public health education and developing breast cancer,” Klimberg community-sponsored events and
across this nation. helps supply pertinent information for said. “We are working to obtain DNA businesses in Arkansas. Recruiters are
Each year tens of disease prevention and treatment for samples from a representative group also willing to come to churches for
thousands of breast cancer. One of the strategic ini- of Arkansas women to use to advance health fairs or make presentations at
women gather tiatives of the Arkansas Conference is breast cancer research in a variety of United Methodist Women’s meetings.
downtown in “to emphasize the importance of self- areas.” I believe that a little spit goes a
Little Rock to care for clergy, staff, and laity and to “Because the study is noninvasive, long way. We can make a difference
participate in the facilitate intentional health ministries it is easy to participate,” Kadlubar and show the nation that the women
Susan G. Komen for body, mind, and spirit in and said. “By collecting samples at various of Arkansas are on the forefront in
Race for the Cure.
Deena Hamilton
through our churches.” sites, we hope to quickly assemble a the fight against breast cancer. For
The Arkansas The research study, called Spit for large, representative DNA database more information about the study,
Race for the Cure, with 45,000 partic- the Cure, is conducted at the that will benefit numerous research contact Kristina Bondurant, Ph.D,
ipants, is one of the largest turnouts Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer studies.” at UAMS College of Public Health at
of women united in their fight against Institute and the Fay W. Boozman Over the next five years the goal of BoundurantKristinaL@uams.edu or
breast cancer in the United States. College of Public Health at UAMS. the study is to get 40,000 women to (501) 686-8326, or check out their
In the area of biomedical research, The study was launched by Susan participate in the study. Because website at www.uams.edu/breastteam.
women are underrepresented. What’s Kadlubar, Ph.D, and Suzanne African-Americans make up about 20
more shocking is, on a whole, Klimberg, M.D., during the events percent of the population, 8,000
[Deena Marie Hamilton is pastor of
African-American women are more associated with the Susan G. Komen African-American women are needed.
McCabe Chapel United Methodist
underrepresented in research. Race for the Cure in 2007. I had the opportunity to volunteer
Church, North Little Rock.]
According to Science News Daily, Spit for the Cure involves the col-
African-American women have a high- lection of saliva samples from thou-
er mortality rate and a larger reoccur- sands of women age 18 and older and
FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE By Mike Morgan
rence of breast cancer after treatment. is being conducted with the support of
As an African-American woman the Arkansas Chapter of Susan G.
with formal biomedical research train- Komen for the Cure. The saliva sam-
ing from Philander Smith College, a ples will be used to create a DNA
former research assistant in the database for future studies related to
Department of Surgical Oncology at breast cancer risk and treatment.
the University of Arkansas for Participants also will be asked to
Medical Sciences (UAMS), and a cur- answer a short questionnaire and indi-
rent nursing student in the College of cate if they would be willing to partic-
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