Maxwell spreads awareness with Pink, Purple Luncheon Published Oct. 9, 2015 By By Airman 1st Class Alexa Culbert 42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The Family Advocacy Program and the Federally Employed Women organization teamed up to host the first Pink and Purple Awareness Luncheon for Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Oct. 8, 2015, at Maxwell. The luncheon brought Airmen from the Maxwell community together to learn and spread awareness of breast cancer and domestic violence. "In the military community, education and awareness are key. Instead of being reactive, we want to be proactive," said Dr. April Jones, Family Advocacy outreach manager. "Our goal is to have events such as these so people will learn the symptoms and signs and get help." Guest speakers Dr. Clayton Yates, Tuskegee University, Department of Biology and Center for Cancer Research, Cheryl Lang, Alabama State University, Violence Against Women program director and sexual assault nurse examiner, were welcomed and shared their personal experiences with cancer and domestic violence. After the loss of his grandfather to prostate cancer and his grandmother's diagnosis of breast cancer, Yates began is journey of learning the ins and outs of cancer. He has patented four cancer treatment drugs and is the co-founder of the national breast cancer research foundation, For Her Solutions 2. He presented the audience information and symptoms for early detection. As for the domestic violence portion of the luncheon, Lang shared her experiences of being in an abusive relationship and described the importance of raising awareness and ultimately putting an end to domestic violence in society. Jones hopes that events like these will make a positive impact on prevention and intervention of domestic violence and breast cancer and urges all to act as wingmen and look out for each other. "Once you have the knowledge, you grow with it; it's like growing a tree. You plant the seed then someone else waters it and then it grows and by word of mouth it can go a long way," said Jones. However, the end of October does not signify the end of raising awareness. Jones urges everyone to continue to share the message and information and to remember to report domestic violence and have regular breast examines. To report domestic violence, contact the Family Advocacy office at 953-5430 or to schedule a breast examine, contact the Maxwell clinic appointment line at 953-3368.