The Breast Health Connection of Georgia

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Who we are:
The Breast Health Connection of Georgia, Inc. (BHCG) is a grassroots, volunteer-based, statewide, nonprofit entity dedicated to increasing awareness of breast cancer and the importance of early detection and screening.

What we do:
The BHCG sponsors educational and awareness activities to educate the public about the importance of good breast health and the importance of early detection through screening mammography, clinical breast and self breast examination. Our major efforts have been directed at sponsoring the annual Bells for Remembrance celebrations held in congregations and organizations throughout the state.

A Brief History
The Breast Health Connection of Georgia (BHCG) was founded in late 1994 by Patt Mueller and Carolyn French, as a group of individuals and organizations interested in promoting breast health awareness and early detection of breast cancer among the elderly, the group began with about 30 members.

The BHCG held it's first public awareness conference "Connection for Detection… Linking Older Women and Breast Health Services" in October 1995. The conference featured:
Medical experts on cancer screening and treatment options, health and social services staff discussing coping strategies for a new diagnosis, breast cancer survivors and their stories and
community based resources for screening and outreach.

The first Bells for Remembrance Celebration, the current primary effort of the Coalition, was held in Georgia in 1996. Thirty congregations participated, primarily from the Atlanta metropolitan area. Each year the Bells for Remembrance program has grown- by 1998 to 100 congregations, in 1999 to over 200 congregations. The program developed a community "kickoff" program to help training local leaders to conduct the Bells program, which included 3 communities in 2000, 10 in 2001 and 20 planned for 2002. By 2001 over 400 congregations statewide were participating in the Bells for Remembrance program.

The Governor began declaring May Bells for Remembrance month in 2000, and the program continued to expand each year with more congregations and partners.

The BHCG has begun to develop additional programs in addition to the Bells for Remembrance annual celebration. Look at the Training and Education section of this web site for more information.

The BHCG incorporated in August 2001 and obtained 501c3 nonprofit status under federal and state law at that time.