The Charleston Job Corps Center (CJCC) operating under Horizons Youth Services (HYS) observed Breast Cancer Awareness on October 17, 2016 in the center gymnasium. Lore Wilkes, Registered Nurse with CAMC Cancer Center served as the guest speaker to over 200 students and staff during Monday Business Meeting.

“Breast cancer is a serious illness that touches many lives” said Wilkes. She gave several alarming statistics regarding the disease which include breast cancer as the #1 cancer among WV Women, one out of eight (1/8) women in America have breast cancer and every two minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. CJCC proudly supports breast cancer awareness and annually hosts speakers and activities to bring attention to the disease. A pink wreath is placed at the center’s reception area and staff were encouraged to wear pink for the day’s speaker.

CJCC will host a female assembly later in the month to distribute pink memorabilia including shower hangers with instructions on how to conduct monthly breast exams. Breast cancer does not discriminate and men can get breast cancer. In closing, “Awareness is the key, early detection is important and can save lives. The more informed you are the better.” On behalf of the center students and staff a presentation was made by Tia Welch, business community liaison to the guest speaker.

Job Corps is a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16-24 improve the quality of their lives through career technical and academic training. The Charleston Job Corps Center is overseen by the Philadelphia Regional Office of Job Corps and is operated by Horizons Youth Services.