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MEAC
Recognizes National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., October 22, 2008 - The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) will honor National Breast Cancer Awareness Month during MEAC football games on October 25 and November 1. To show support, MEAC football officials will use pink penalty flags in place of the traditional yellow flags during conference football games. “We understand the importance of highlighting National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and are encouraged that educating our communities could help save lives,” said MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas. “We want to do our part to encourage all women to get screened on a consistent basis. Breast Cancer has affected us all, whether it is a mother, sister, friend or colleague. The best way to further see a decline in breast cancer deaths and illnesses is for all of us to be engaged and involved.” Although October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM), the MEAC will continue its support through the first day of November. Since the NBCAM program began in 1985, mammography rates have more than doubled for women age 50 and older and breast cancer deaths have declined. The NBCAM program is dedicated to increasing public knowledge about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. Fifteen national public service organizations, professional associations, and government agencies comprise the Board of Sponsors, who work together to ensure that the NBCAM message is heard by women and their families. The MEAC is a NCAA Division I Conference and is made up of 12 outstanding, historically black institutions across the Atlantic coastline: Bethune-Cookman University, Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Florida A&M University, Hampton University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina A&T State University, South Carolina State University and Winston-Salem State University. Four-of-nine football playing institutions will host games Saturday, October 25 including Morgan State, North Carolina A&T, South Carolina State and Winston-Salem State. Bethune-Cookman, Delaware State, Florida A&M, Hampton, and Howard will participate in the program on November 1. |