The American Cancer Society’s National Board Chair, Dr. Cynthia M. LeBlanc, EdD, will review a life-saving outreach program on Friday, Sept. 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Mexican Consulate, 2827 16th St NW, Washington, D.C., 20009.
Dr. LeBlanc is the first African American national board chair of the American Cancer Society. And the Ventanilla de Salud (Health Windows) program in Washington, D.C. helps more than 15,000 Hispanics each year with health education, prevention, and access to health care services.
In September 2012, the American Cancer Society reported that cancer is the new leading cause of death among U.S. Hispanics, surpassing heart disease for the first time.
“Dr. LeBlanc was instrumental in the development of the American Cancer Society’s first diversity strategic plan in California, and we’re proud to show off the Ventanilla de Salud program that is helping Hispanic families in greater Washington, D.C.,” said Rosa Villoch-Santiago, Society Director for Health Disparities. “Ventanilla de Salud combines the grass roots efforts of a local agency with the full strength of the country’s largest voluntary health organization.”
Recognizing the foreign consulate as an authority—and advocate—among Hispanic populations, the American Cancer Society formed landmark partnerships to provide cancer education and assessment within select Central and South American consulates. This program, known as the Cancer Education and Prevention Station was first implemented by the Society in 2006 at the Ventanilla de Salud program in the Mexican consulate in Washington, D.C. Today, cancer education and program programs are active at the Ventanillas de Salud in the Mexican consulates in Washington, DC, Raleigh, N.C., and Atlanta, Ga.
In each consulate, the American Cancer Society coordinates with a lead agency partner to integrate bilingual, bi-cultural health educators into the regular flow of service. While visitors wait to complete their business, such as passport and visa applications, they’re provided free, on-site cancer education, assessments and screening referrals.
This model allows the Society to provide funding, training and resources in support of its lead agency partners, while the agencies provide culturally competent staff and day-to-day management of outreach efforts. The result is a cost-effective, centralized program that’s reaching thousands of men and women who might otherwise never receive screening.
The partnership also extends the concept to provide similar outreach at community centers, churches and clinics throughout the region.
“Through Ventanilla de Salud, the Society and its partners, we’re able to reach people in their communities where our life-saving message has a greater impact,” said Villoch-Santiago.
Dr. LeBlanc has been an active American Cancer Society volunteer at the local, state and national levels for over 22 years. She served locally as chair of the San Francisco Unit and as secretary, treasurer and chair of the California Division Board of Directors. Dr. LeBlanc was also instrumental in the development of the first Diversity strategic plan for the California Division.
A member of the National Board of Directors since 2006, Dr. LeBlanc currently serves as a member of the Compensation, Governance, Strategic Planning and Agenda Development Committees, and National Board Advisory Committee on Transformation. A St. George National Award winner, Dr. LeBlanc is also a Road to Recovery volunteer, Legislative Ambassador, and an ACS National Leadership Development Program coach.
In addition to her work with the Society, Dr. LeBlanc is also a member of the Girls, Inc., West Contra Costa Board of Directors, the Leadership Team, Health Cabinet and Finance Committee at St. Columba Church, and a member of Black Women for Organized Political Action.
After receiving a Bachelor Degree in Psychology from Holy Names College, Dr. LeBlanc received a Masters Degree in Education from San Francisco State University and a Doctorate Degree in Education, with a focus on Organization and Leadership, from the University of San Francisco.
Having served as a teacher, principal, central office administrator and superintendent, Dr. LeBlanc retired after 36 years as a public school educator in California. She now serves as an education consultant.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.5 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org. For cancer news in your community, visit sacancernews.org.
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