Forwarded FYI

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 07:11:36 -0700
From: Vivian Stromberg <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Share Hope Campaign to fight breast cancer

We write to you today to announce the launching of MADRE's two-year,
intensive Share Hope Campaign.  The Share Hope Campaign brings critical
breast cancer screening equipment, preventative medicines, and treatment
to the women of Cuba.

Breast cancer is terrifying for all women, on matter where they live.
But in Cuba the tragedy of breast cancer is made even more drastic by the
fact that Cuban doctors could save more lives if not for the public heath
crisis caused by the U.S. embargo.  Consider these facts:

Early detection: According to a report from the American Association for
World Health, Cuba has less than two dozen mammogram units for the entire
country.  The embargo prevents U.S. companies or their subsidiaries from
selling more mammogram units or the x-ray film required for the machines.
 As a result, mammograms are no longer employed as a routine preventative
procedure in Cuba, but are provided only to women considered to be at high
risk.

Treatment: Treatment for breast cancer has also been severely compromised
because of the embargo.  Due to lack of surgical supplies, hundreds of
women are on waiting lists to receive surgical interventions which could
rid them of their cancer.

U.S. Denies Medicines: Because 80% of all medical drugs on the world
market are produced by U.S. companies, Cuban women are denies access to
medicines which could save their lives.

MADRE's Share Hope campaign will address the critical need that these
obstacles have created through the following efforts.

1) We will obtain and ship thousands of dollars worth of mammogram film,
Tamoxifen, and other vital medical supplies to the Cuban Red Cross for use
in neighborhood clinics throughout the country.

2) We will publicize our opposition to the embargo by holding a major
press push to announce our first shipment of breast cancer medicines.

3) We will mobilize US citizens to speak out against the US embargo and to
ask Congress to normalize relations with Cuba.

How you can help:

1) Join MADRE as a Co-Sponsor of the Share Hope campaign with a donation.
Your name will be added to a sponsors scroll which will accompany our
first shipment to Cuba as a symbol of solidarity at the Red Cross offices
in Havana.

2) Publicize through your own channels: tell your friends, doctors, and
colleagues about the Share Hope campaign.

3) Contact MADRE to learn more about the campaign and other ways you can
support women in Cuba, and visit our website to read about our Cuba
program at www.madre.org.

Vivian Stromberg, Executive Director MADRE 121 West 27th Street, Room 301
New York, NY 10001 phone (212) 627-0444; fax (212) 675-3704; email:
[log in to unmask]

MADRE has a strong track record of helping women and families in Cuba.
 Since 1993, MADRE, along with the US + Cuba Medical Project, has shipped
more than $11 million worth of urgently-needed medicines and supplies to
Cuban hospitals and clinics.  In addition to the Share Hope Campaign,
MADRE focuses on sending AIDS medications to Cuba, as well as toys and
other critical pediatric supplies such as vaccination ingredients and
neonatal respirators.

If you are interested in traveling to Cuba with the MADRE Delegation in
January 2000 to witness the effects of the embargo for yourself, contact
us for more information.
---------------