Save Sisters Lives—National Women’s
Health Week-May 11-17
April 24, 2008
How many lives have been saved by co-workers who share information about their health conditions or symptoms of serious diseases while at work? How many more lives could be saved if unions participated in an annual campaign to share information on diseases, promote healthy habits and provide check-ups or screenings?
That’s the idea behind the ninth annual National Women’s Health Week from May 11-17, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“Women are often unaware of symptoms that can prove to be fatal,” says IBEW Education Department Director Jan Schwingshakl. In 1999, Schwingshakl was getting ready for work when she got a sharp pain at the base of her neck and shoulder and another pain in her bicep. Thinking that she was just suffering from job-related stress, she continued to prepare for the workday. When the pain increased, she called a nurse. The nurse contacted 911 and had her rushed to the hospital. “I had suffered a heart attack,” says Schwinshakl, “but I didn’t know that women’s heart symptoms often differ from those of men.”
There are several ways for local unions to participate in National Women’s Health Week. For more information and for a listing of local activities, visit:
http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw/events/findevent.cfm
For promotional materials or to register your activities, go to www.womenshealth.gov/whw or contact Elizabeth Osborn at eosborn@hagersharp.com or 202-842-3600 x257.
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