 |
         |
      |
| Volume XXIII Number 12 | September 5, 2003 |
By Alexandra Frank
Miami Lakes — On Aug. 28, President Moses Osceola, Miss Seminole Cherelee Hall, Trail Liai
son
William Osceola, and Elrod Bowers, representing Chairman Mitchell Cypress,
presented a $5,000 check to the Don Shula Foundation, which is dedicated
to breast cancer research.On August 26, the tribe was invited to attend a "Football Season Preview" at the Don Shula Hotel. After hearing that a corporation made a donation to the Don Shula Foundation, William Osceola asked those present why the tribe couldn't do the same. It was decided that the Seminole Tribe of Florida would make a donation toward the foundation.
Don Shula, the winningest head coach in NFL history, unfortunately knows about the disease because his first wife Barbara Shula died of breast cancer.
It is predicted by the American Cancer Society that there will be 184,200 new cases of invasive breast cancer this year among American women and about 41,200 deaths from the disease.
Men are also susceptible to the disease; about 1,000 men will be diagnosed this year. The exact causes of breast cancer are not yet known, but several factors have been linked to the disease, such as gender, age, genetics, heredity, and previous radiation treatment.
In a statement read to Don Shula from Elrod Bowers, representing Chairman Mitchell Cypress, he said, "We appreciate the work that is being done to raise funds and realize that cancer research has made a difference in all our lives. No one is safe from this disease. The Tribe is a great supporter of the needs of mankind. We know that we must assist in finding a resolution to these problems together. That is why we take great pride in striving to keep our culture and traditions alive, as well as, the continuation of the practice of Indian Medicine."
He continued, "We understand the efforts you are undertaking in raising funding for the work of the foundation. Therefore, on behalf of my people, please accept our donation to assist in combating breast cancer. The Seminole Tribe of Florida thanks you for all your efforts to find a cure."
With those words, a check was presented to Don Shula by President Moses Osceola, Trail Liaison William Cypress, and Miss Seminole Cherelee Hall.
Shula thanked the tribe for the check and spoke about why he started the foundation nearly 12 years ago. After his wife Barbara succumbed to the disease, Shula did research into breast cancer and found out that 1 out of 7 women will contract the disease.
Since its beginning in 1990, the Foundation has made over 2,300,000 in grants for 42 different research projects at leading cancer institutes, such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering, National Cancer Institute, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Shula remarked that the check would help a lot and the interest in the foundation is greatly appreciated.
"Having the Seminole Tribe and the foundation come together shows positive steps towards halting the disease," said Shula.
The tribe's quest to help eradicate breast cancer is not only a humanitarian effort, but also a personal quest. The tribe has six breast cancer survivors among its tribal women and two survivors among its male population. These revelations of tribal members affected by breast cancer shows that no one regardless of race, sex, or background is exempt from the life threatening disease.
Let us hope that those survivors, and people who are in danger of contracting the disease, find a cure soon so that all can lead a normal, and healthy life.
| Home · History · Culture · Tourism & Enterprises · Government · Services · Employment |
Copyright © MMIV Seminole Tribe of Florida
6300 Stirling Road
Hollywood, Florida 33024
Phone: (800) 683-7800
URL:
All questions/comments: tribune@semtribe.com
Webmaster: webadmin@semtribe.com
Web site maintained by Seminole Tribe of Florida