Special BCA E-Alert for California

Hello! This is a special e-alert for our California members. There are some
exciting upcoming opportunities in California to take action and do something,
besides worry, about breast cancer.

SPREAD THE WORD - if you like this e-alert, please help us by sharing it with your
friends and family. Forward this message and let them know that they can subscribe
at http://www.bcaction.org/ealert

WE PUBLISH A SNAIL MAIL NEWSLETTER TOO - We just can't get enough of you ...and hope
that you can't get enough of us! If you're not already on our mailing list we'd
love to send you our bi-monthly newsletter filled with information on treatment,
diagnosis, politics, and true prevention updates. Check out the archives and
subscribe online at http://www.bcaction.org/newsletter

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In this issue...

1. TAKE ACTION: Speak Up About Chemical Policy Reform in California; Support
Universal Health Care in California
2. SAVE THE DATE: Women's Leadership Education and Advocacy Day, May 18, San
Francisco; Support Strokes--Making Waves for Women with Cancer, Oakland, May 20;
Environmental Justice Health Summit, June 10, North Richmond; Volunteer with BCA at
Pride, June 25, San Francisco

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1. Speak Up About Chemical Policy Reform in California; Support Universal Health
Care in California

Speak Up About Chemical Policy Reform in California

For years, BCA and other organizations have called for chemical policy reform to
better protect our health. In June, State Senator Joe Simitian will convene a
hearing to start discussions about what chemical policy reform in California would
look like. See BCA’s April 2006 e-alert for more information on the recent report,
Green Chemistry in California: A Framework for Leadership in Chemicals Policy and
Innovation. The full report is available at
http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2006/03/14_greenchemicals.shtml

No chemical policy will be successful without diversity of thought, perspective and
input. The chemical industry will make sure to voice their opinions. We have to
make sure legislators hear our voices too.

We are seeking your help in telling our legislators that Californians want to see
this happen, and in getting the word out to others.

1. If you can do only one thing, write a letter of support to encourage our
legislators to support chemical policy reform. We have sample letters for
individuals and for organizations at
http://www.bcaction.org/Pages/TakeAction/ChemicalPolicyReform.html

2. Help mobilize others in your community. The more groups that participate in this
process, the more comprehensive and thoughtful any new chemical policy will be.

3. Participate in the June informational hearing in Sacramento (date to be
announced). Your attendance will ensure that diverse thoughts and perspectives will
be heard. The hearing will include a brief public comment period.

Reforming the way California regulates chemicals is a huge task. It will take the
commitment of many organizations and individuals across the state to ensure that
reform has integrity and the support of diverse interests. Together we can reduce
the toxins we are exposed to, and we can make California a healthier place to live.

For more information, contact Brenda Salgado, BCA’s Program Manager, at
bsalgado [at] bcaction.org or 415-243-9301 x14


Support Universal Health Care in California

BCA supports SB 840 – the California Health Insurance Reliability Act (CHIRA). This
bill would provide fiscally sound, affordable health insurance coverage to all
Californians. To sign a petition in support of SB 840, visit
http://www.healthcareforall.org/petition.html

Thank you to our San Francisco Bay Area members who attended our recent Universal
Health Care meeting, and for those of you who sent a letter of support to your
legislator! If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area and are interested in having
BCA come and do a talk on Universal Health Care to your local club or group, contact
Brenda Salgado, BCA’s Program Manager.

Breast Cancer Action will be joining forces with Health Care For All and Health
Access to host Los Angeles meetings on Universal Health Care this summer. If you
live in the L.A. area and would like to be involved, please contact Brenda Salgado
at bsalgado [at] bcaction.org or 415-243-9301 x14.

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2. SAVE THE DATE: Environmental Health Legislative Education Days, May 16-17,
Sacramento; Women's Leadership Education and Advocacy Day, May 18, San Francisco;
Support Strokes - Making Waves for Women with Cancer, Oakland, May 20; Environmental
Justice Health Summit, June 10, North Richmond; Volunteer with BCA at LGBT Pride
Celebration, San Francisco, June 25

Environmental Health Legislative Education Days, May 16-17, Sacramento, CA

Make your voice heard in Sacramento! Attend the Environmental Health Legislative
Education Days on May 16-17. The Environmental Health Legislative Working Group
(EHLWG) is a coalition of environmental health and justice groups throughout
California. The Environmental Health Legislative Education Days are held each spring
in Sacramento to educate the legislature on current air, toxics, water, and
pesticide issues, and to advocate for current environmental health legislation. The
education days provide an opportunity for community activists from around the state
to join together and bring their environmental health concerns to their elected
officials. They are also a great opportunity for people to learn more about how the
legislative process works and how we can all take part in that process. May 16 will
be a day of advocacy training, and May 17 will be a day for meeting with
legislators. Please contact Pauli Ojea at pojea [at] bcaction.org or (415) 243-9301 x11
if you would like to attend.


Women LEAD - Women's Leadership Education and Advocacy Day, May 18, San Francisco

Do you live in San Francisco and have concerns about health care problems? Do you
want to learn more about efforts to increase health insurance coverage in San
Francisco? Do you want the chance to speak to your Supervisor about health care
issues in a supportive environment with other women who share your concerns? Learn
to effectively speak with San Francisco Supervisors and have your voice heard!
Lunch will be provided. For more information or to sign up, contact Jessica
Rothhaar at 510-873-8787 ext. 107 or jessicar [at] health-access.org Women LEAD is
organized by the Universal Health Care Working Group, a coalition of women’s health
organizations in the Bay Area.


Support Strokes--Making Waves for Women with Cancer

Spend a day kayaking in the San Francisco Bay and help raise money for BCA! Support
Strokes Race and Fundraiser is a fun sea kayak and canoe paddle around Alameda
Island that raises money for local breast cancer advocacy, education, and direct
service organizations in the Bay Area. Boats will launch from the dock at Jack
London Square. Register with California Canoe and Kayak at
http://www.calkayak.com/supportstrokes/


Environmental Justice Health Summit

The Environmental Justice Health Summit will address a variety of disease indicators
ranging from breast cancer to prostate cancer, as well as the disproportionate
impact on communities of color. The summit will be held on Saturday, June 10 at
Verde Elementary School, 2000 Giaramita Street, North Richmond, from 9:30 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. For more information, contact Dr. Henry Clark at HenryC11 [at] prodigy.net


Volunteer with BCA at LGBT Pride Celebration, June 25, San Francisco, CA

Have fun while volunteering with BCA! Please join BCA at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender Pride Celebration on June 25th in San Francisco. We'll have a BCA
information booth and will also have a 'bucket brigade' group collecting donations
at one of the entrance gates. We need volunteers for 2 to 3 hour shifts from about
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM that day. This is one of the liveliest and most well-attended
events we go to, so it's a great way to get the word out about BCA and to raise some
money. You don't need to be an expert on BCA or breast cancer to participate; you
just need enthusiasm about sharing information with others. If you'd like to help
out, email Pauli Ojea at pojea [at] bcaction.org or call (415) 243-9301 x11.

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That's it for this edition! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or
comments about this listserv.

Thanks for your continued support of BCA. Until next time,

Pauli Ojea, Community Organizer
Toll free at 877-2STOPBC (278-6722)
http://www.bcaction.org
http://www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org

Our members are the driving force behind our efforts to end the breast
cancer epidemic. Because Breast Cancer Action does not accept funding from
the government or the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, we need
your support. You can donate on-line at
http://bcaction.org/donate or call 415-243-9301, or
toll-free at 1-877-278-6722. All gifts are deeply appreciated.

Breast Cancer Action has received the highest four-star rating from Charity
Navigator, America’s premiere evaluator of charities. To view the details of our
rating, visit
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/search.summary/orgid/8165.htm


Breast Cancer Action is funded in part by a grant from the California Wellness
Foundation (TCWF). Created in 1992 as an independent, private foundation, TCWF's
mission is to improve the health of the people of California by making grants for
health promotion, wellness education and disease prevention programs.