The Voice Newspapers, Serving Chicago's West Side

REPORT FROM ALDERMAN EMMA MITTS

Mission 2020: Black History Equals American History
Why We MUST Teach Our Families About Chicago’s Black History

For the past 20 years as Alderman, I have championed various issues that concern the well-being and safety of our local residents, businesses, schools and community organizations in the 37th Ward. Among my key priority areas: of Economic and Job Development, Gun Violence, Healthcare, Education, Senior Services, and Affordable Housing. Today, I am embracing an important new cause: Elevating Black History for Future Generations.
As we celebrate Black History Month 2020, (originally created by Chicagoan Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926 as ‘Negro History Week’) this is a pivotal time in Chicago and across the U.S., with an ever-changing cultural, social, political and technological landscape. Diverse groups of individuals everywhere are making their voices heard, honoring their past history. African Americans have an equally rich historical legacy of success, achievement and empowerment in Chicago, but today - - - our voices are too often muted. Consider:
• Chicago was founded by a Black man of Haitian descent, Jean Baptiste Point DuSable.
• Fugitive slaves and freedmen established the city’s first black community in the 1840s, with the population nearing 1,000 by 1860; concentrated primarily in restricted areas on the south and west side, setting the stage for the ‘Great Migration’ from the south, (1916-50)
• In 1878 prominent Black attorney Ferdinand L. Barnett established Chicago’s first black newspaper, the Conservator, which championed racial solidarity and militant protest. His wife, Ida B. Wells-Barnett was a militant anti-lynching activist, fought for women’s rights and played a key role in the conference establishing the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909.
• Between 1890 and 1916 Black Chicagoans established Provident Hospital, the Wabash Avenue YMCA, several black newspapers, including the Chicago Defender, and local branches of the NAACP and Urban League.
• Segregation in professional sports forced African Americans to create their own leagues. Chicago’s earliest Black sports teams were the American Giants (1911) of the Negro National Leagues and the Chicago Cardinals (1920) of the National Football League.
• Chicago’s first Black Mayor, the late Harold Washington was elected on 1983 and re-elected in 1987, and 2008 saw the historic election of the election of Chicago’s own Barack Obama as the nation’s first African American President of the United States.
The bottom line: Our history is very important for both current AND future generation to know, understand and appreciate - - and not just during February – but all year long. So, if you KNOW Black History – SHARE it with family, friends and neighbors. Don’t know much? READ, LEARN, TEXT & TWEET about our ANCESTORS & CURRENT HEROES and TEACH it to our YOUNG PEOPLE. We owe that to those who came before us, and for those who follow.

Got a question or concern? For more information, contact the 37th Ward Alderman’s Office at 773-379-0960.

AS I SEE IT By Representative La Shawn K. Ford

Mandela and Voting Rights

Nelson Mandela, the first President of the new Republic of South Africa, was released from prison 30 years ago on February 11, 1990. He had been imprisoned for 27 years. To recognize the anniversary of his release, President Obama said, “I remember the hope we all felt watching Mandela’s release from prison. The gift of a new way of seeing. The chance to participate in the work of building a better world. The ultimate example of perseverance and faith for each new generation to follow.”
Part of the chance to participate in building a better world is exercising ourconstitutional right to vote to choose the leaders who will work for us by passing laws that affect our lives and also choosing judges and others who will work for justice.
This right to vote is so important that I was House Co-sponsor of legislation that was signed into law last August 21, 2019, that became Public Act 100-0442, which became effective January 1, 2020. This legislation creates a way for eligible voters who are confined or detained in jail and not convicted of an offense to exercise their right to vote. Outside of Cook County, this means that a system must be set up so eligible voters may vote by mail, and in Cook County, temporary branch polling places must be set up inside Cook County Jail. The system will allow a voter to vote in the same elections that the voter would be entitled to vote where the voter resides. This law requires each election authority to collaborate with their respective county jail to facilitate registration of eligible confined individuals. Additionally, county jails are required to provide a voter registration application to (1) any person in custody who requests one and is eligible to vote; and (2) any person being released from custody.
This legislation goes further. Individuals who are in jail or prison on a criminal conviction have their voting rights suspended during their sentence, but regain the right to vote at its conclusion. In order to exercise that right, they must first reregister. This new law requires that upondischarge of a person who is eligible to vote from a county jail, the county jail shall provide the person with a voter registration application. They will also receive detailed printed information regarding the voting rights of a person with a criminal conviction. Also, upon release of a person who is eligible to vote on parole, mandatory release, final discharge, or pardon, the Department of Corrections shall provide the person with a form that informs him or her that his or her voting rights have been restored and a voter registration application.
This law is so important for those people living on the West and South Sides who are disproportionately jailed. On January 1, 2020, there were 5,616 individuals at Cook County Jail. The self-reported Zip Codes for those in custody on 1/1/20 are mostly on the West and South Sides. Here is a list of the number of people in Cook County Jail from the top 15 Zip Codes:
Zip Code No. Frequency %
60623 252 4.50%
60624 236 4.22%
60628 218 3.90%
60644 206 3.68%
60651 198 3.54%
60619 190 3.40%
60620 188 3.36%
60621 173 3.09%
60617 158 2.82%
60636 156 2.79%
60637 126 2.25%
60629 122 2.18%
60649 117 2.09%
60411 104 1.86%
60612 101 1.81%

We can honor the legacy of Nelson Mandela, including his release from prison 30 years ago, by doing all we can to make sure that people who have the right to vote have a chance to exercise that right. We also need to give everyone the information they need so they can make their individual choices in the voting booth. This is especially important now as our Illinois Primary is coming up on March 17, 2020. Let’s all exercise our right to vote!

For more information, contact one of Ford’s Constituent Service Offices: 816 S. Oak Park Avenue in Oak Park at 708-445-3673, 4800 W. Chicago Avenue in Chicago at 773-378-5902 or in the Stratton Office Building in Springfield at 217-782-5962, or visit www.lashawnford.com.

What Does God Have To Do With It? Who’s Running It?By Angie Mims

The Stench of Selfishness and the Residue of Narcissism

For those who had loving relatives throughout their lives, you remember the sacrifices made on your behalf. For those people who weren’t blood related to you and yet, they still made an extra effort to ensure that you were okay should bring pleasant memories to your mind’s eye.
On the contrary, there are so many who have had to suffer at the hearts and hands of the selfish and the self-absorbed. And while none of us are perfect, it isn’t until recent years, through human observations, that I’ve learned just how selfish people can be, perhaps even unintentionally.
Have you ever attempted to have a conversation with someone and you noticed that 90% of the conversation is about them? Or have you encountered someone who itemizes all of their good deeds the moment you bring up a concern regarding their behavior? While some may not mean any harm, there are those who are manipulative at heart and could in fact be battling with a condition called narcissism.
Dr. Seth Meyers, a clinical psychologist and relationship expert, states that while narcissists are perceived as having a superiority complex, the truth about real narcissists is that they cannot stand, for any extended period of time, to truly be vulnerable; they’ll always have their guards up. Moreover, narcissists also live in a state of hypervigilance and anxiety. And while to the masses they have made their outer disposition as one that is high strung and perhaps fun, inwardly, it is chaotic with no extended period of peace.
Narcissists and those who are self-absorbed thrive off of empaths. Dr. Judith Orloff, M.D., author of, “The Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People,” states that empaths are those who take having empathy to another level. Empaths are able to pick up on unspoken feelings and will often over extend themselves to ensure the other is doing okay.
So, what does God have to do with it? Let’s examine it. In the Christian world, we are encouraged to deny ourselves and to help others. However, there are those who plainly put, take advantage of this kindness. Women who struggle to obtain a quality man, will often lower her standards just to have a man around. She will allow men to manipulate her, abuse her and misuse her body all for the sake of companionship. These men will take no vested interest in her nor will they have any intentions on building a future with her. Unbeknownst to her, she isn’t the first they will have done this to and she won’t be the last if she able to break away from this type of toxicity. Creatively, everything will be about him and if she is not careful, she will lose her own identity in his web of selfishness.
All the same, selfish women can be just as brutal. She uses her womanhood as a way to manipulate and control him. She is not interested in partnership but rather lordship wishing to rule over the man and emasculate him. She is not sensitive to his needs and will play the role of a caring woman to lure him into entrapment. She will even stoop as low as having a baby by him only for the baby to suffer from her emotional and sometimes physical wrath. Because of inadequacies within herself, he and the child will regularly be the emotional punching bag for her.
The stench of selfishness and the residue of narcissism is real. Typically, there’s always a reason why a person goes through life taking people for granted. From mother and father wounds to abandonment, the list could go on. And while it isn’t a reason to continue in the behavior, it is a reason to be examined by those who have had to suffer from those who are self absorbed.
The bottom line is as a people, we must regularly submit ourselves to God, asking Him to purge us, to clean us and to create within us a new heart. And for those who have had to experience people who wreak havoc on our lives because of their own insufficiencies, let us be quick to consistently pray about who we allow in our inner circle. Our decisions to let people into our lives can have lasting effects. Let us ask God to give us wisdom so that we may be walking into our destinies and not into destruction.

Angie Mims is a radio personality for the Promoting Precision Radio Show. She has interviewed many greats on her show such as NBC 5’s Art Norman, CLTV News Dr. Garrard McClendon, Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant, Ebony Magazine’s Senior Editor, Lynn Norment, the former president of Nigeria, General Olesugun Obasanjo, NBA players and many others. Visit her online at www.promotingprecision.com. Angie loves to meet new people and is in a constant attempt to unite people from all over the world. If you have a great story, don’t hesitate! Email her at AngieMims@PromotingPrecision.com today! You may also call (708)-612-4864. Support The Austin Voice Newspaper and let them know your thoughts about her column.

REACHING BEYOND THE WALLS By Reverend Dr. T.C. Thomas, Sr. Pastor

Black History Month!

Grace and peace to you all! We are thrust into February where we celebrate Black history month. The shortest month in the year, we are given to celebrate the accomplishments and accolades of African American people. The question I pose to all my readers is what does Black history mean to you? Additionally, the question expands to how have we helped educate, shape and advance the ranks of Black history? As a child, I can remember my Grandmother recalling many occurrences of how African American have helped pave the way for us to have the rights and freedoms of today. My mother would quiz us on who was accomplished in our culture and how it affected our society as a people. She then directed our focus and attention to how we will be change agents and help affect others to be greater in their lives.
Scripture tells us in Luke 12:48-B(KJV), “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” I encourage everyone to be change agents and help strengthen our coming generations. Moreover, we should seek to help the current generation be a shining light that shows the mighty handiwork of God. We are a strong people that must rise to take on the greatness that is within us, while lifting others as we climb. When we seek this stance, God can use us for His glory and to build His kingdom!

May the blessings of God be upon you today and every day!

Stay rooted and grounded in Him!

Rev. Dr. T.C. Thomas is the Pastor of Walls Memorial C.M.E. Church, 200 S. Sacramento Blvd., on Chicago’s west Side. He is a strong advocate for children, education, healthcare and most of all the people of God “being better and not bitter.” Rev. Thomas is the author of the young reader series: “Who Am I Really?” and “Me and My Crew, Change is Coming.” Copies may be purchased by contacting the church office. Rev. Dr. Thomas may be contacted at 773-533-2721.

A Call To Action: By Reverend Charles C. Brown, Ph.D. - Pastor, New Heaven Christian Church

Hip-Hop’s Love Affair with Lean Can Have Deadly Consequences

Although the use of lean does not completely define the hip-hop culture, it does hold a prominent position in the lives of many hip-hop artist and their fans. There are numerous lyrics from some of the top hip-hop songs that provide praise and accolades for the use of this highly addictive substance. For example, in the song “Big Pimpin,” late rapper Pimp C, who unfortunately passed away due to a combination of overdosing on purple drank and complications from sleep apnea, begins his verse with “Smokin’ out, pourin’ up, keepin’ lean up in my cup.” Sadly, this has become a normal or daily routine for many of our young folks, and for them drinking this sweet but deadly concoction from a red double cup has become a staple in their lives.
Arguably, within the hip-hop community the use of lean has not only been glamorized, but it has also been popularized by some of the biggest, most popular, or well-known artist in the industry. In song after song, rappers brag or boast about sipping on Sizzurp, drinking that Purple Drank, having a Dirty Sprite, or trippin’ off that lean, which are all created by combining codeine, soda, and a piece of hard candy (normally Jolly Ranchers) for sweetness. However, codeine is an opioid, and it is frequently used as a cough suppressant or mild analgesic. In relation to this, some prescription cough syrups contain promethazine, an antihistamine that produces a sedating effect upon the user. In combination with opioids, these two legally prescribed medications become a highly addictive substance, and in the words of Rapper Lil Boosie, “Once you start using it, you got to have it.”
Although many individuals may want to stop drinking lean, it is the adverse side effects of withdrawing from codeine that hinders their decisions to do so. Unfortunately, many individuals who do attempt to stop using may experience many of the following symptoms: anxiety, agitation, difficulty sleeping, muscle aches, increased tearing from the eyes and a runny nose, sweating, chills, goosebumps, and increased heart and breathing rate.
As an opioid, lean is used as a pain reliever, and it has earned its name by the effects that it has on the user. When consumed it causes one to slouch or lean to one side, and the signs or symptoms of its use is similar to the signs and symptoms of other addictive opioids such as oxycodone and heroin. Typically, its effects are normally felt within 30 to 45 minutes and depending on the amount of codeine used in the lean, the high can last anywhere from in between 1 and 6 hours. There are several adverse effects of drinking lean, and they are as follows: listlessness, dizziness, slowed heart rate and breathing, constipation, dental decay, urinary tract infections, impaired vision, memory loss, hallucinations, seizures, and headaches.
Continued use of lean can cause the body to develop a tolerance to its effects, and as a tolerance builds, the body produces less and less of its own natural opioids until it is entirely dependent on the substance to provide biological opioid stimulation. In turn, the continued use of lean can lead to a fatal overdose, and this is due to an abundance of opioid molecules in the body’s biological system. At this point the body is unable to perform certain basic functions, and the ability to breathe slows down until it stops altogether. When breathing stops, the brain no longer receives enough oxygen to function properly and death or brain damage may occur.
In hopes of reversing the dangerous effect of an opioid overdose, Naloxone, which is also known as Narcan can be administered to an individual who is exhibiting signs of an overdose. It works by blocking the effects of the opiates on the brain and by restoring the ability to breathe. Subsequently, naloxone will only work if a person has opiates in their system, and it should be administered as quickly as possible. It does not matter what you call this deadly concoction, the repeated use of lean can have deadly consequences. In the words of rap artist Future, “I don’t know what to do, pour up a 3 or 4, my sprite so dirty fool, my girl reminds me all the time that drink will kill you.”

Pastor of New Heaven Christian Church, Professor of Psychology, Advisor to State Representative LaShawn K. Ford, Illinois 8th District Chair of Higher Education, Co-Chair for the 37th Ward Pastors Alliance, member of the New Baptist Ministers Fellowship, and Board of Directors for the Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund.

JESUS FREEWAY EXPRESS

HAVE FAITH IN GOD!!!

Faith is defined in the Bible as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrew 11:1). By Faith Noah built the ark not questioning God about the water to carry the big boat (the ark) afloat. By faith Abraham was called by God to leave his brethren to go and sojourner in a strange, unknown land. Without faith it is impossible to please God for he that cometh to God must believe that He (God) is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
Know assuredly that with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27). He (God) had given all power to His begotten son – Our Lord & Savior (Jesus) who completed the work of Salvation with torture and pain on the cross at Calvary without sin – yet offered the Salvation FREE of charge and without any string attached to us (sinners) who must be saved by the shedding of His blood at Cavalry. O’ Lean on Jesus today as we sing our song: Leaning on Jesus, Leaning on Jesus, safe and secure from all harms…..Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.
Jesus lives – seeing His love in your life affirmed by our sister in the Lord, Author Sarah Young, a gifted spiritual author of several books including this aforementioned title (Jesus Lives) and Jesus speaks as follows: Though you may not be much of a risk taker, be willing to go out on a limb with Me. If that is where I am leading you, it is the safest place to be. I want you to follow wherever I lead – even if it’s out of your comfort zone. I will help you learn to follow me confidently rather than fearfully.
Bring all your fears to Me. Fears that are not dealt with tend to magnify themselves. Expose them to the revealing Light of My Presence, and they will shrink to manageable proportions. Some of them may even appear comical in this Light. As fearfulness loosens its grip on you, you are freed to follow Me. Grasp my hand tightly as we edge our way out onto the limb. Since I go before you in this adventure, you can keep your eyes on Me as you step out in faith. Soon we will get to a resting place and then you can look back and see how far you’ve already come. While gripping My hand to steady yourself, dare to venture a look toward the horizon; enjoy the view from this new perspective.
You are actually safer here, out of this limb with Me – than you would be on the ground. In this new, challenging environment you stay alert; communicating with Me continually, holding My hand for support. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2. Echo this song in faith in the Lord: Blessed Assurance Jesus is mine….. Jesus loves you and so do I. For prayer support, please call me at (630) 965-0256. Your brother in the Lord, Apostle/Prophet E. Dada. NOTE: Parade for Jesus planning meeting this Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 1030 North Mason, Chicago 4pm at Praying Band Cherubim & Seraphim Pentecostal Church – Senior Pastor, Apostle/Prophet E. Dada. Hope to see you there. Thanks & God bless.

Dr. James Poulos Presents:

Chewing Gum to Prevent Cavities

Clinical studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay.
The chewing of sugarless gum increases the flow of saliva, which washes away food and other debris, neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and provides disease-fighting substances throughout the mouth. Increased saliva flow also carries with it more calcium and phosphate to help strengthen tooth enamel.
Look for chewing gum with the ADA Seal because you can be sure it’s sugarless. All gums with the ADA Seal are sweetened by non-cavity causing sweeteners such as aspartame, xylitol, sorbitol or mannitol. Of course, chewing sugar-containing gum increases saliva flow too, but it also contains sugar which is used by plaque bacteria to produce decay-causing acids.
Don’t let chewing sugarless gum replace brushing and flossing. It’s not a substitute. The ADA still recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning plaque from between your teeth once a day with dental floss or other interdental cleaners.
Look for chewing gum that carries the ADA Seal. The ADA Seal is your assurance that the sugar-free chewing gum has met the ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness. You can trust that claims made on packaging and labeling for ADA-accepted products are true, because companies must verify all of the information to the ADA. Products with the ADA Seal say what they do and do what they say.

James Poulos, DDS, leads a team of dental specialists at Madison Pine Dental Clinic, 5470 West Madison Street, Chicago. Kidzone is a part of Madison Pine Clinic providing care to children and teenagers in a comfortable, nonthreatening setting. The clinic provides orthodontic care, braces, implants, and cleaning, in addition to fillings, crowns, and dentures for patients of all ages. Madison Pine accepts Medicaid patients and most insurance plans. For an appointment, call (773) 287-2277.

COMMENTARY - Rev. Mitchell Johnson

$200 million to fund our community’s needs – the case for safe and legal sports wagering.
With underfunded health care facilities and schools in our communities crying out for resources, it is essential that we look for new state revenue sources that can address these challenges – immediately.
There is now a simple and responsible way to generate $200 million to help our state meet its budget needs. A recent US Supreme Court decision effectively allowed all 50 states to legalize, regulate and tax wagering on sports if they so choose.
Other states are already bringing in millions to address their budget needs by legalizing sports wagering – and they are helping their residents by taking the market out of the shadows where it was dominated by unethical black-market operators and unregulated offshore websites. As a talk show host, resident, and community organizer who works with blighted communities, I have seen the negative impact that dangerous and illegal operators have had preying on our community. Change is sorely needed.
If Illinois acts quickly and implements a simple and fair sports wagering policy, it can almost immediately start generating revenue for key state services without further burdening taxpayers, while creating jobs and better protecting its residents. Every day that Illinois waits to legalize, regulate and tax sports wagering, significant amounts of money go to other states, which have already done so -- or to the illegal black market.
There is a big difference between legalizing sports wagering and other gaming expansion proposals such as building new casinos. Most importantly, legalized sports wagering can begin generating significant revenue for the state almost immediately after its enactment and implementation. Alternatively, the process of licensing and building new casinos will take many years and can be fraught with unforeseen challenges and delays. Illinois has pressing budget needs – particularly for education and health care – that cannot wait for years to be met.
Illinois already has ten operating casinos and over 30,000 video gaming machines in 6,000 locations. Expansion of casinos may simply further cannibalize an existing and saturated industry, forcing communities and casinos to fight for smaller slices of the same pie. This could put at risk the jobs of 6,200 employees at the existing casinos. Alternatively, legalized responsible sports wagering will bring an entirely new market out of the shadows and generate revenue and jobs without harming existing businesses. The large demand for sports wagering in Illinois is already clear; residents already wager on sports through offshore websites, through the large black market, or by traveling to the states that have already successfully legalized sports wagering. These wagers currently generate zero dollars for our community’s needs.
The creation of a legal and responsible sports wagering system in Illinois – run by experienced and qualified operators - will dramatically reduce the reach and impact of unethical and dangerous black market operators who prey on our communities, while helping us fund vital services and projects.
Illinois should pass a simple and responsible sports wagering legalization plan in to law as soon as possible. It is the right thing to do for our budget, our residents and our communities.

MONEY RUN By Kevin Pearson

Plan to Plan

Have you ever wondered why do I need a business plan? One may say to ones self “ I know what I want to sale. Can I just open my doors and start making money.” This is a thought that has crossed many entrepreneur minds, but having or not having a business plan can be the beginning or the end of ones business.
In early 2001, you all may know I published a hip-hop magazine that circulated in Chicago and two other major cities. The idea to start the magazine came over night. I can remember sitting on the floor in my brother’s room flipping through some old magazines. I looked him right in the eye and said, “ I want to start a hip-hop magazine.” Neither of us had writing experience and definitely no publishing experience, yet he was all in. Our entire business plan was fluttering in our imaginations.
Finally in 2003, after hundreds of hit or miss (only by the grace of God) we put out a full color glossy magazine. The hip-hop community loved the publication. We were on the media list of major music labels; we got passes to just about every hip-hop event. So what was wrong with that you ask? NO MONEY. We had zero revenue coming in, and no strategy in place to get any. We were the new guys on the block, and no ad agency would touch us. Also, big hip-hop publications where adding online versions of them selves, called e-zines, yet we still owed the printer. We hung on for a few years but closed shop in 2006.
In the end, we had a great product and tenacity, but no plan to execute anything. Today I plan everything, ever phone call, email, I even wrote a plan to write this column. “Remember no business has ever been totally successful with out a plan in place to make it successful.”

Want to increase your customers and profit, but don’t know where to start? Let us help, contact the Voice Newspapers at Ph: 773-889-0880 or email: austinvoiceads@gmail.com

PCC WELLNESS CENTER By Alexandra T. Chavez, Development Coordinator

PCC Offers Care Centered Around You
Pregnant and struggling with addiction?

With growing heroin use on the west side of Chicago, PCC Community Wellness Center (PCC) has started a chemical dependency program that offers combined prenatal care and substance abuse treatment for pregnant women. In this program, the treatment of heroin, alcohol, and prescription drug abuse is offered right in the doctor’s office.
PCC’s goal is to meet patients where they are in their recovery and help them to set goals without judgment. PCC can help improve the patients’ health and the health of their babies. Patients in this program receive safe, medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine and counseling. They visit weekly, are given ultrasounds, and deliver their babies at West Suburban Medical Center with a PCC doctor.
Services are available at our Chemical Dependency Clinic, located inside PCC Walk-In Wellness Center at West Suburban Medical Center at 1 Erie Court, Suite 1300, Oak Park, IL 60302. Pregnant women and their families in this program may continue to receive primary care, pediatric care, and behavioral health care at a nearby PCC location.
PCC accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and many health plans and also offers a sliding fee program for patients without insurance. They do not deny services because of inability to pay.

CANCER SOCIETY WARNS WOMEN OF THREAT FROM RADON EXPOSURE

A new report finds a statistically significant positive association between high levels of residential radon and the risk of hematologic (blood) cancer in women. This study is the first prospective population-based study of residential radon exposure and hematologic cancer risk, leading the authors to caution that it requires replication and whether it truly differs by sex.
Radon is a naturally-occurring byproduct of the decay of radium and is a known human lung carcinogen, the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Modeling studies show that radon delivers a non-negligible dose of alpha radiation to the bone marrow and therefore could be related to risk of hematologic cancers. More than 171,000 new cases of hematologic cancer and more than 58,000 deaths are expected in the United States in 2016. Hematologic cancers are the most expensive cancers to treat per quality-adjusted life year gained.
For the current study, researchers led by Lauren Teras, Ph.D., of the American Cancer Society used data from the American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort established in 1992, to examine the association between county-level residential radon exposure and risk of Hematologic cancer. The analysis included 140,652 participants among whom there were 3,019 hematologic cancers during 19 years of follow-up. They found women living in counties with the highest mean radon concentration had a statistically significant 63% higher risk of hematologic cancer compared to those living in counties with the lowest radon levels. They also found evidence of a dose-response relationship.
The authors say men may have a higher baseline risk, possibly because of more exposure to occupational or other risk factors for hematologic cancer, reducing the impact of any additional risk from residential radon. In women, who have a smaller baseline risk, residential radon exposure might be a larger contributor to overall risk. Another reason may be that the women of this generation spent more time in their homes, so had more residential exposure than men.
According to Dr. Teras, “Radon is already associated with lung cancer and if other studies confirm the link to blood cancers, we think it would warrant strengthened public health efforts to mitigate residential radon risks.”

ST. MALACHY + PRECIOUS BLOOD REQUESTS HELP FOR MOBILE PANTRY

Father Matthew Eyerman, Pastor of St. Malachy + Precious Blood Catholic Church, 2248 West Washington Boulevard, reminds everyone that his congregation hosts deliveries by the Greater Chicago Food Depository Mobile Pantry on the third Tuesday of each month. Volunteers unload the truck, bag the food, and distribute non-perishables, fruits, and vegetables to West Side residents. This food is available to anyone free of charge and without income verification. Each month, St. Malachy + Precious Blood serves more than 250 households representing well over 750 people, regardless of weather conditions.

In past years, the public has donated a pallet mover, tables, and bins. This year, Father Eyerman is requesting help in obtaining items to keep staff and clients dry and warm:

• $500 will install a retractable canopy

• $100 will purchase a pop-up canopy to keep food and volunteers dry

• $75 provides hand warmers for volunteers

• $50 provides single-use rain ponchos for clients & volunteers

For information about the monthly Mobile Pantry at St. Malachy + Precious Blood or making contributions to the program, call Father Eyerman at 312/733-1068 or 312/919-1610.

MT. VERNON BAPTIST CHURCH OFFERING YOUNG ADULT RE-ENTRY PROGRAM FOR EAST GARFIELD

MT. VERNON BAPTIST CHURCH OFFERING YOUNG ADULT RE-ENTRY PROGRAM FOR EAST GARFIELD AND NEAR WEST YOUTH

Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, 2622 West Jackson Boulevard, is providing assessment, support, and referral services as part of its Community Violence Prevention Program (CVPP) Re-Entry Program for East Garfield and Near West youth and young adults being released from Department of Correction facilities.

Any East Garfield Park and Near West juvenile between the ages of 13-28 currently on parole from any Department of Correction facility, or returning to CVPP communities from Department of Correction facilities are eligible to participate in the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church CVPP Re-entry Program. Interested persons should call Denise Harris at 773/826-3295.

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