Insider News October 2023
In this issue:
- President & CEO Message
- Health Care: Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- Education: Expanding Language Access to Sex Education
- Advocacy & Government Relations: Learn About the Sex Education Young People Deserve
- You can continue to make Care. No Matter What. possible!
- In Case You Missed It
Dear Friends,
We are coming to the end of Latinx Heritage Month. PPHP is honored to serve Latinx communities across Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, and Suffolk counties. Over one-third of our patients identify as Hispanic, and we are proud to provide them the health care and resources they need and deserve. We would also like to recognize our Latinx staff members who are a vital part of the PPHP team. We are committed to expanding our bilingual services to ensure our services are accessible to all.
I am looking forward to seeing many of you on October 18 at our annual Empower Gala. We are excited to be hosting this year’s gala at Sarah Lawrence College; be sure to say hello to the students who will be joining us to hear our keynote speaker, award-winning author Rebecca Traister. We will also be honoring retired New York State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer for her demonstrated commitment to protecting access to care. There is still time to get tickets.
Lastly, I want to remind everyone that the deadline to register to vote in New York’s general election is Saturday, October 28. Please visit our website for more information about registering to vote and making a voting plan.
Thank you for your continued support of PPHP. We could not do this work without you. To get the latest information, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to stay up-to-date on what is happening at PPHP and issues related to sexual and reproductive health care.
In this together,
Vincent Russell
President & CEO
Health Care: Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Over 240,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the U.S.
To keep your breasts healthy, doctors recommend getting a breast exam every 1 to 3 years from ages 25 to 39. Once you turn 40, get examined every year. You can start getting a mammogram every 1 to 2 years at 40, or you can wait until you turn 50.
PPHP offers breast exams at all 10 of our health centers. Here is what happens during a breast exam:
- You'll take off any clothing that covers your breasts. You may get a gown or sheet to cover yourself with before the exam starts.
- Your provider will check your breasts for any possible signs of breast cancer or other breast problems. This includes looking at both of your breasts to see the shape, size, and texture of your skin.
- Next, your provider will feel your breasts with the tips of their fingers to check if there are any lumps or if something else doesn’t feel normal. They’ll start with one breast and then do the other, including both nipples. They will also check your armpits.
- Your provider will also talk with you about your risks for breast cancer and what you can do to help prevent it. They may ask you:
- Have you had breast, ovarian, tubal, primary peritoneal, prostate, or pancreatic cancer?
- Has a blood relative had breast, ovarian, tubal, primary peritoneal, prostate, or pancreatic cancer?
- Is a blood relative a breast cancer gene carrier (like BRCA)?
- Are you of Ashkenazi Jewish descent?
To schedule a breast exam, visit pphp.org or call 800-230-PLAN. Find out more about breast cancer and breast health here.
Education: Expanding Language Access to Sex Education
Fall ushers in the start of school and the Education and Training team’s busiest season. Our team started recruiting for our Teen Information and Peer Services (TIPS) program, with a goal of hosting one in Westchester, one in Rockland, and two in Suffolk. We also kicked off a full cohort of our Promotores program, which trains Spanish-speaking peer educators to educate the Latine communities we serve. This year, we recruited participants at Stony Brook University using a new protocol that aims to decrease biases and promote equity in the selection process.
Language is a barrier to access for many people, and our team is invested in improving access to our education programs and as well as PPHP medical services. To understand how our team might reduce this barrier, we completed a training on language justice with the Endangered Language Alliance. This training is just the first step; we are excited to grow and better meet the needs of the communities we serve.
Advocacy & Government Relations: Learn About the Sex Education Young People Deserve
Do you believe that young people have a right to learn how to lead safe and healthy lives? Join us this month for our sex education events!
- On Tuesday, October 24 in Brewster, NY, join us for a screening of “A Sexplanation” followed by a conversation on how sex education affects us all and the ways it could improve. RSVP here.
- On Wednesday, October 25 at Stony Brook University, join us for a “Trick or Treat” style packing event to make safer sex kits. RSVP here.
- On Thursday, October 26, join us virtually for a bilingual conversation about barrier methods. This time is meant to be a safe group space to ask any questions about the barrier methods including those collected in the Safer Sex Kit Packing event at Stony Brook University the day before. RSVP here.
Can’t join us at an event, or want to do more? Send a safer sex kit to a loved one! Learn more here.
Don’t forget, the general election is coming up on Tuesday, November 7. The deadline to register to vote in New York’s general election is Saturday, October 28! Find out how to register, make a voting plan, and take the pledge to vote in 2023 here.
We hope to see many of you soon! Check out our Monthly Activist Calendar for more upcoming events or visit our website.
PPHP's 90th Anniversary: A Moment in History
In honor of PPHP’s 90th Anniversary, we will be answering a question about our organization’s history each month.
When did PPHP begin providing abortion care services?
In 1994, prior to the merger that brought together PPHP’s north and east regions, Planned Parenthood Suffolk County opened its first comprehensive health center in Smithtown, which had the infrastructure to provide in-clinic abortion procedures. A 1998 merger brought together Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, and Suffolk counties to create Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic. During the first decade of the new century, PPHP continued to strengthen access to in-clinic abortion by expanding the service to 15.6 weeks at PPHP’s comprehensive centers and offering IV sedation. Medication abortion was made available at all full-time centers by the end of 2006.
Today, we offer in-clinic abortion services for up to 17.6 weeks at our comprehensive centers and medication abortion is now offered at all 10 of our centers. You can learn more about our abortion services here.
Be sure to mark your calendars and share these events with your friends and family.
Storytelling Day of Action
Monday, October 16, 2023
Virtual
More information here
The Empower Gala
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville
More information here
"A Sexplanation" Film Screening
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Brewster
More information here
Safer Sex Packing Event
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Stony Brook University
More information here
Barrier Methods Office Hours/Cafecito
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Virtual
More information here
Youth Fall Action: Text Bank
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Virtual
More information here
For more information, visit our Calendar of Events. We look forward to seeing you
You can continue to make Care. No Matter What. possible!
A monthly gift to PPHP ensures security for patients in your local communities. Consider joining our Monthly Giving Program today at www.pphp.org/donatetoday.
Double your impact! Does your employer have a matching gift program? Check with your Human Resources Department to find out. For questions, contact the Development Department at [email protected].
Committed to safeguarding the future of reproductive health care? Consider leaving a legacy gift to PPHP in your will. Please contact the Development Department at [email protected].
Do you have a little bit of time to get more involved? Visit www.pphp.org for ways you can help.
PPHP in the News:
Sex advice: I recently discovered the world of sex toys. Uh, I think I overdid it. (slate.com)
Additional News:
More Latinas are living in states with abortion bans, restrictions (nbcnews.com)