Currently Browsing: News
Low-Income Women Rejected from Free Cancer Screenings
Written by Marisa Kaplan, Print News Editor
Low-income women across the country are being turned away from cancer screenings due to state budget constraints.
According to the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network, women who would usually be eligible for mammograms and other cancer-detecting tests aren’t receiving them because of program cutbacks. The number of women being turned away can’t be determined because many women are referred to other cancer services.
Over 20 states, including Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Illinois, have had to make these budget cuts. Controversy over who should receive mammograms has increased over the past several months. The U.S. Preventative Task Force advised that “exams not be given routinely until women are 50, and then every two years.”
This goes against what has long been recognized as the national position on receiving mammograms at age 40. Even though mammograms cost about $100, many free providers aren’t able to give as many as they could in years past.
In order to meet some demand, states are using their funds to increase federal funding, while others get private aid from nationally-renowned groups like the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
In 2009, the ACS approximates that 34,600 American women between 40 and 49 will learn that they have breast cancer. The free screenings identify “more than 39,000 breast cancers, 2,400 invasive cervical cancers and 126,000 pre-malignant cervical lesions.”
Email This Post
Print This Post
Currently Browsing: News / Top Stories
The Oprah Winfrey Show will end in 2011.
Photo Credit: CreativeCommons.org
.
Written by Marisa Kaplan, Print News Editor
It is the end of an era for the Oprah Winfrey Show. After 25 seasons interviewing countless celebrities and investigating national issues, Winfrey announced that her award-winning show will end on September 9, 2011. On last Friday’s show, she decided to interview three guests before stating her show’s departure from syndicated television. ”I love this show, this show is my life, and I love it enough to know when it’s time to say goodbye. It’s the perfect number, the exact right time” she explained for her reasoning to end the show. She also said she will “pull out all the stops” to make her last 18 months the best ever.
After the announcement, televison networks that depend on “Oprah” to deliver large ratings are now scrambling to fill her spot. Larry Gerbrandt, an analyst for the firm Media Valuation Partners in Los Angeles said that television stations “build their schedules around her” and the exit of the Oprah Winfrey Show will result in a huge drop in ratings for them. While television affiliates may suffer, so will the die-hard fans of her show. There has been some negative reception from her recent announcement. But overall, most Oprah followers have come to realize that all good things must end.
The queen of the talk show has been developing her own television channel, The Oprah Winfrey Network, with the Discovery Channel. “The goal at OWN is to do some kind of on-air programming” according to Discovery Channel CEO David Zaslav. Her new network will replace the Discovery Health Channel. Over the last 20+ years, Oprah has been dominating daytime television. While others may attempt to recreate her success, it will be very tough to replace “the most influential and popular talk show in television history”.
Email This Post
Print This Post
Currently Browsing: News
Caps for Cause!
Written by Marisa Kaplan, Print News Editor
Fundraiser season has begun this week at West Boca with “Caps for Cause.”
The Key Club is selling wristbands allowing students and staff to wear hats only on Friday November 6. Sales of these wristbands will begin Tuesday November 3 in Student Services and during both lunches for only $2.00.
Students are faculty are welcomed to buy wristband until Friday morning. Students with wristbands are the only ones permitted to wear hats. Although the wristband gives permission to wear a cap it is up to teachers to permit this in their classrooms.
The Key Club has a goal to sell 1,000 wristbands. If they reach this objective, all of the funds will go towards several school projects, such as the spring Special Olympics and SAC Funds to aid our local school community.
Another event the Key Club is planning on hosting is a Senior Citizens Prom on January 15 taking place on campus. Elderly families interested should contact the Key Club sponsor Mr. Critelli if they wish to participate. Additional money from wristband sales will go towards this event and other organizations like local prenatal units and to the Key Club general fund.
Anyone interested in donating to a productive cause and wearing their favorite hat to school should definitely consider participating in “Caps for Cause.”
Email This Post
Print This Post
Currently Browsing: News / Top Stories
PB Convention Center will host 2010 Graduation
Photo Credit: KDDesigners.com at CreativeCommons.org
.
Written by Marisa Kaplan, Print News Editor
Seniors, get ready to travel north to West Palm Beach in May. The Palm Beach County School Board has signed a three-year agreement to keep graduation ceremonies at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Board members voted last Wednesday in favor of the decision which includes a locked in price and the promise of numerous donations from county businesses and development groups. After the 2010 graduation ceremonies, the school board will decide on whether the budget will allow the 2011 ceremony to be at the convention center.
Supporters of the new agreement are looking forward to the $76,000 of local donations that will be deducted from the total cost of the 2010 graduations. According to the Palm Beach Post, the price of this year’s graduations is $352,559. Critics argue that the fee for the upcoming ceremonies at the convention center are “ridiculous” compared to the South Florida Fairgrounds’ offer of $256,164, more than $100,000 less than the current price. One of the seven board members who voted against the deal, Frank Barbieri, is concerned with the uncertain future of state and local funding.
Students at West Boca have mostly positive remarks about the continuing use of the graduation site. Senior Rebecca Gold is very excited to have the ceremony at the convention center. “I like that seniors will be able to include more family and friends to enjoy the ceremony because of the large size of the convention center” she said. Senior Abbie Schepps attended last year’s graduation and “had the best time at the convention center” and “is very excited about going back there to graduate”. So as seniors begin to think about graduation, they won’t have to worry about the venue.
Email This Post
Print This Post