Looking for Black Heroes and Sheroes in the IE

Photo Caption: 2023 Black Rose Award Winners - (From left) Accepted for Linda D. Wright; Arlington Rodgers Jr., President of the Black Culture Foundation; Rose Mayes, Humanitarian of the Year honoree; Gloria Macias Harrison, Black Rose awardee; Jim King, Black Rose Chair; Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson, Black Rose awardee; Accepting for San Bernardino Community Hospital Dr. Ruby Skinner, Medical Director, and Roz Nolan, Chief Nurse Executive Officer, and Foundation Treasurer Genevieve Echols.

“The Black Culture Foundation Celebrates the 31^st Annual Black Rose Awards with our call for entries for the 2024 Black Rose Awards,” said President Ezekiel Adeleke

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Some people have made a career helping others. And some have done even more than that.

“If you know someone whose passion is to help and make the community better for others, the Black Culture Foundation wants to know about them. We seek nominations for The Black Rose, Humanitarian of the Year, and Community Service awards,” said Black Culture Foundation President Ezekiel Adeleke.

“We are looking for someone whose volunteer efforts go over and above their job-related activities,” said Carl M. Dameron Co-chair of the 2024 Thirty-first Black Rose Awards. “These are unsung heroes, people who volunteer with multiple organizations or give all of their spare time to one. They never seek their glory but want to make their community a better place to live.”

To nominate someone for a Black Rose Award, email Dameron at blackrose@sbbcfoundation.org, or call or text him at (909) 534-9500. Nominations are due by November 30, 2023.

The awards program focuses on the Black community in the Inland Empire, Dameron says, but an award winner need not be a resident of the IE. Many community leaders in law enforcement, education, and other public venues have been recognized and received an award in honor of the work they’ve done that benefits the Inland Empire.

To become a volunteer or board member, call or text Dameron at (909) 534-9500 or email him at blackrose@sbbcfoundation.org, Nominations are due by November 30, 2023.

The 31^st Black Rose Awards ceremony takes place on Saturday, February 3, at a location to be announced.

About the Black Rose Awards

The Black Rose Awards are a complement to Black History Month. The awards are sponsored by the Black Culture Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 1968 by a small group of people who were concerned that, “...nationwide, our school systems have not yet incorporated Black history studies into regular school curriculums. Thus, all students miss the opportunity to learn more about a vital part of this country's history.”

The Black Culture Foundation's purpose “...is to foster an interest and a greater understanding of Black culture, to heighten community awareness of the accomplishments of Black people, past and present, and to plan, coordinate and direct an annual Black History Month parade and related cultural activities...[and] bridge the gaps across cultural lines by bringing the local community together to celebrate this event in the spirit of unity and brotherhood.”

The Black Rose Awards are the Foundation’s showcase cultural event.

October Is Liver Cancer Awareness Month

Photo Caption: “Early recognition of symptoms, proper physical examination, and swift intervention are the keys to survival. If you or a family member have any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room,” said Dr. Andrew Benin, M.D.

“Here At LaSalle, we always stress the importance of annual physical exams and proper follow-ups to screen for cancers and other conditions that increase the risk of liver cancer,” says Dr. Andrew Benin of LaSalle Medical Associates.

REDLANDS, CALIF. –October is Liver Cancer Awareness Month, and The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) aims to raise awareness about the warning signs of both types of liver cancer. The AACR notes that liver cancer is more prevalent in men than women, and it is more common among Asian/Pacific Islanders and American Indian/Alaska Natives.

Dr. Andrew Benin of LaSalle Medical Associates says, “According to the NIH the incidence of liver cancer will increase by more than 50 percent and the number of deaths is projected to increase by more than 55 percent between 2020 and 2040. This is exactly why here at LaSalle, we always stress the importance of annual physical exams and proper follow-ups to screen for cancers and other conditions that increase the risk of liver cancer such as hepatitis.”

“We encourage everyone to work on lifestyle modifications such as decreasing alcohol use, avoiding IV drug use, and limiting fatty foods. Ultimately, the best thing anybody can do for screening and prevention is to make an appointment and have a conversation with their healthcare provider. Early recognition of symptoms, proper physical examination, and swift intervention are the keys to survival.”

The two types of primary adult liver cancer are liver cells (hepatocellular carcinoma) and liver bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma). People who have cirrhosis or hepatitis B or C are especially at risk, according to the AACR.

The National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program projects 41,210 new cases of liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer in 2023, resulting in approximately 29,380 deaths. The five-year relative survival rate is only 21.6 percent.

Symptoms for both liver cell cancer and bile duct cancer include losing weight without trying, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice), and or white, chalky stools. 

Symptoms unique to liver cell cancer are loss of appetite, upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, general weakness and fatigue, and abdominal swelling, Symptoms unique to bile duct cancer are intensely itchy skin, abdominal pain on the right side, below the ribs, fever, night sweats and dark urine.

“Early recognition of symptoms, proper physical examination, and swift intervention are the keys to survival. If you or a family member have any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room,” said Dr. Benin.

LaSalle Medical Associates serves more than 350,000 patients in their clinics and statewide Independent Physicians Association Group (IPA). Patients are covered by Medi-Cal, Medicare, Covered California, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Brand New Day, Molina, Care 1st, Health Net, and Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP).

For an appointment or more information about LaSalle Medical Associates, call 1-855-349-6019 or go online to LaSalleMedical.com.