During January of 2019, Celeste…as did I… struggled with her mother’s passing from metastatic breast cancer. Since then, and because of my health, she has committed to caring for me during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Even so, I am amazed by how she has also committed to serving others as it relates to healthcare. First, she began researching metastatic breast cancer. She discovered that in Iowa, African Americans, and those living in rural areas, had the highest death rates associated with metastatic breast cancer. By December of 2019, Celeste was contacting and meeting with state elected officials concerning what was being done to educate Iowans on the disproportionate metastatic breast cancer death rates experienced by African American and rural Iowans. Although Celeste discovered that there were some impressive efforts by Iowa organizations to address breast cancer, such as making October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she was unable to find a similar specific campaign centered on metastatic breast cancer in Iowa and, as a result, set her sights on addressing the disproportionate deaths in the African American and rural communities associated with metastatic breast cancer. Celeste met with Iowa African American State Representatives, who are members of the Black Caucus, as early as March of 2020, in order to find a solution. The result was a plan for initially introducing a resolution within the House of Representatives and move the metastatic breast cancer issue forward. However, the legislative session experienced an early adjournment due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and Celeste was advised by Black Caucus members to pursue a proclamation by the Governor until such time work could resume in the Iowa legislature. The proclamation was a joint effort constructed by members of the Iowa Legislative Black Caucus and Celeste. The proclamation designated October 13, 2020, as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. That was a great contribution considering there had been no such focus in the past, however, Celeste believed that the nature and devastating impact of metastatic breast cancer should be addressed annually, and one way to do that was to work with the organization that had championed October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month as a partner in the process. Celeste thankfully accepted the proclamation route until such time further work could be done on an official annual Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day in October that reflects the alarming impact on the African American and rural communities. In addition…and demonstrating how difficult it has been to educate the general public about the first Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day proclamation… press releases were sent to major media outlets in Des Moines and we were aware of only one media source that ran an article…and that was the Des Moines Business Record (https://businessrecord.com/ Content/Default/All-Latest-News/ Article/Proclamation-claims-Oct13-2020-as-Metastatic-BreastCancer-Awareness-Day-inIowa/-3/248/91541). Recently, I was informed that work is currently ongoing by legislators to make Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day an annual observance. May their work as legislators incorporate Celeste’s historic contribution, thereby serving as an ‘encouragement’ for other members of the general public to get involved, just as Celeste has advocated for building a better government…of the people…by the people…and for the people… In closing, I am unabashedly… and hopefully understandably… proud of her relentless, selfless, and volunteered dedication to community service. …We are home now. The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2021 37
38 Publizr Home