Early Detection is Key in Preventing Breast Cancer Death

As the nation marks the annual National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the American Cancer Society is encouraging women to fight breast cancer by taking charge of their personal breast health and supporting efforts against the disease.

The Society is reminding women 40 and older about the importance of getting a mammogram annually to detect breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stage. An estimated 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the U.S. in 2008, and about 40,480 deaths are expected.

(more…)

As several states recover from the destruction and loss of life caused by recent tornadoes, floods and wildfires (and other areas prepare for the beginning of the 2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season on June 1), the U.S. Small Business Administration is urging the public to develop an emergency plan before the disaster hits.

“Every threat, from wind storms, floods and wildfires, to power outages and computer system failures, reminds us to be proactive when it comes to planning strategies to survive a disaster and recover quickly,” said SBA Deputy Administrator Jovita Carranza. “The catastrophic events of the last few years demonstrate the need for preparedness at the individual level, to diminish the risk to life and property.”

The SBA stands ready to help communities recover in the aftermath of a disaster. Following the Gulf Coast Hurricanes of 2005, the SBA approved more than $5 billion in disaster loans to 102,700 homeowners and renters in the region. Businesses in the area were approved for 16,780 business disaster loans worth $1.6 billion.

During the past two years, the SBA has been preparing to respond to major disasters by reengineering the Disaster Assistance program with a significant focus on customer service, direct accountability, and new technologies that have quadrupled the processing capacity. In June 2007, the agency completed its Disaster Recovery Plan (which includes procedures to better handle future catastrophic disasters) and has begun testing this plan through simulations conducted with outside experts.

Disasters strike in all seasons. Since Oct. 1, the SBA has responded to 137 declared disasters, including those for drought. Of those, 118 are open at present.

Disaster preparedness for homes and businesses should include:

• A solid emergency response plan. Find evacuation routes from the home or business and establish meeting places. Make sure everyone understands the plan beforehand. Keep emergency phone numbers handy. Business owners should designate a contact person to communicate with other employees, customers and vendors. Ask an out-of-state friend or family member to be your “post-disaster” point of contact – a person to call to provide information on your safety and whereabouts.
• Adequate insurance. Disaster preparedness begins with having adequate insurance coverage—at least enough to rebuild your home or business. Homeowners and business owners should review their policies to see what is or isn’t covered. Businesses should consider “business interruption insurance,” which helps cover operating costs during the post-disaster shutdown period. Flood insurance is essential. To find out more about the National Flood Insurance Program, visit the Web site at www.floodsmart.gov.
• Making copies of important records. It’s a good idea to back up vital records and information saved on computer hard drives, and store that information at a distant offsite location. Computer data should be backed up routinely. Copies of important documents and CDs should be stored in fire-proof safe deposit boxes offsite.
• Protection of windows, doors and roofing. Installing impact-resistant window and door systems, even simple plywood shutters installed before the storm hits, can enhance their ability to resist impacts from wind-borne debris. Hire a professional to evaluate your roof to make sure it can weather a major storm.
• A “Disaster Survival Kit.” The kit should include a flashlight, a portable radio, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, non-perishable packaged and canned food, bottled water, a basic tool kit, plastic bags, cash, and a disposable camera to take pictures of the property damage after the storm.

More preparedness tips for businesses, homeowners and renters are available on the SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/disasterpreparedness/index.html. The Institute for Business and Home Safety (www.ibhs.org) also has information on protecting your home or business. To learn more about developing an emergency plan, visit www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY to receive free materials.

The SBA makes low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and non-farm businesses of all sizes. Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace damaged real estate. Individuals may borrow up to $40,000 to cover losses to personal property.

Non-farm businesses and non-profit organizations of any size may apply for up to $1.5 million to repair or replace disaster damaged business assets and real property. Small businesses that suffered economic losses as a direct result of the declared disaster may apply for a working capital loan up to $1.5 million, even if the property was not physically damaged.

The 2008 Women & Money Conference will be held Friday, October 17th in Parkersburg at the Grand Pointe Conference Center.

Women & Money Conferences are informative, free presentations designed to help people better handle their personal finances. Included are planning for retirement, getting out of debt, saving for college, building a household budget and more.

“We all need to plan ahead,” says State Treasurer John Perdue, “and tomorrow will arrive faster than we think. There is no time like today to begin building your financial future.”

Led by nationally-known financial planner and author Dee Lee, the conference program is chock-full of useful ideas, tips and activities. Lee’s down-to-earth, engaging style will leave you inspired and motivated to take on the tasks ahead.

Each conference also features a variety of financial services exhibits that add another useful dimension to the conference experience. Sponsoring organizations staff the exhibits and are available to discuss their services with attendees. The conference agenda builds in ample time for visits with the exhibitors.

Over the past six years, more than 7,200 people from across West Virginia have attended one of the WV Money Conferences. Nearly everyone comes away with concrete ideas for improving their personal finances.

To register for the 2008 Women & Money Conference, go to www.wvtreasury.com.

Judy K. Sheppard Wins Award from Nation’s Largest Business Women’s Organization

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 12, 2008) – Judy K. Sheppard, president and CEO of Professional Services of America in Parkersburg, W. Va., recently received a 2008 WIPP Member to Watch! Award during a ceremony at Women Impacting Public Policy’s (WIPP), We Decide! conference in Washington, D.C. The nation’s largest bi-partisan women’s business group, WIPP presented awards in several categories to honor individuals, associations and companies who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the growth and goals of women-owned businesses.

“Judy is a successful business leader who works to create positive changes in her community and for women business owners across the country,” said WIPP President Barbara Kasoff. “We are proud to recognize her achievements and active citizenship by presenting this WIPP award.”

Other 2008 WIPP Members to Watch! Award, winners include Kathy Bennett, president and CEO of Bennett Packaging of K.C., Inc., in Lees Summitt, Mo., and Rebecca Herwick, president and CEO of Global Products, Inc., in St. Peters, Mo. These awards honor leaders who have made a significant impact in their industry over the past year through innovation and excellence.

Mary Schnack, president of Mary Schnack Media Services, Inc., in Sedona, Ariz., received the 2008 WIPP Member of the Year Award, which recognizes a member who has shown extraordinary commitment and leadership in the organization.

Doña Storey, president of Quality Technical Services, Inc., in Virginia Beach, Va., was presented with the WIPP Public Policy Award for her active engagement in the political process.

WIPP’s Fast 5 Awards were presented to five members whose companies have demonstrated rapid growth during the past five years. Award recipients were Afreen Al-Amin, CEO of Verascom, LLC, in Dallas, Texas; Michelle Crumm, chief business officer of Adaptive Materials, Inc., in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Jeanne Johnson, co-founder of Server Centric Consulting in Kansas City, Mo.; Laurie Simon, president and founder of Ombrella, Inc., in Kirkland, Wash.; and Rita N. Singh, founding managing partner/CFO/CPA of S&A Consulting Group, LLP, in Cleveland, Ohio.

The 2008 WIPP President’s Award was presented to three outstanding WIPP members for their work on behalf of women entrepreneurs throughout the country. Receiving this year’s President’s awards were Indy Freeman, president and CEO of TeknoLogix, Inc., in McLean, Va.; Nancy Aber Goshow, senior managing partner of Goshow Architects in New York, N.Y.; and Magdalah Silva, president and CEO of DMS International, Inc., in Silver Spring, Md.

Women Impacting Public Policy is a non-profit, national bipartisan group with over half-a-million members. WIPP is The Collective Voice in Washington, DC, for 46 national women and small business organizations. WIPP strengthens its members’ sphere of influence in the legislative process, creates economic opportunities for members and builds alliances with other small business organizations. For more information about WIPP, visit www.wipp.org.