My Life Matters - Fall 2021 - 9

INCLUSION PLEDGE The Power of One
and inclusive for their patients while also
building and expanding their current clinical
trial patient diversity composition to reach
double-digit growth before the end of 2021.
" Tigerlily's efforts in the past
15 years have led up to their
ongoing work to remove
barriers and charge others to
follow through with action
behind their words. "
- VIRGINIA LEACH
a status report for the organization to keep
on the right track in fulfilling its goals. The
key thing to remember is that this work is to
contribute to the advocacy of Black women
in their fight against breast cancer. With
enthusiasm and earnestness, organizations
that complete their commitments are one step
closer to saving the lives of women the world
has told to fight alone. This type of support
is insurmountable. No one can understand
what it is like to fight a disease that is described
as deadly. By signing the Inclusion
Pledge, you and your organization are in
agreement with the Tigerlily Foundation that
there is more work to be done to solve health
disparities in our lifetime, and you agree to
be a part of that effort in making it happen.
As of July 2021, 139 Pledge Partners have
signed the Inclusion Pledge. Pledge Partners
such as Seattle Genetics, Imerman Angels,
More Moments More Memories (MMMM)
Foundation, the University of North Carolina
(UNC) Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer
Center, Off Script Media, and Eli Lilly and
Company have taken the initiative to sign
and share their goals with TLF and the world.
Seattle Genetics, now Seagen, based in
Bothell, Washington, U.S., has chosen to focus
on eight out of the ten barriers. The barriers
are Clinical Trials, Financial, Educational,
Communication, Lifestyle, Socio-economic,
Trust, and Psychological. They commit to
ensuring their research studies are diverse
IMERMAN ANGELS, located in Chicago, Illinois,
U.S., has chosen to address barriers such
as Representation, Psychological, Trust, Literacy,
and Education. They dedicate their time to
three goals. First, they will expand their board,
staff and volunteers to include diverse voices in a
welcoming environment. Next, they will collaborate
with healthcare partners to distribute their
knowledge to under-resourced communities.
Lastly, they will welcome all individuals who
need psychosocial cancer support.
MORE MOMENTS MORE MEMORIES
FOUNDATION, situated in Dubuque, Iowa,
U.S., has chosen to focus on Psychological,
Emotional/Trauma/Mental, Literacy, Trust,
Socio-economic, Lifestyle, Geographical,
Communication (External Discrimination),
Financial Strain of Clinical Trials, and Representation,
which is all ten barriers. They will
designate resources to four objectives. They
will support cancer advocacy organizations
that specialize in helping women of color who
need assistance in reaching cancer clinical trials.
MMMM will evaluate and adjust distributed
materials for cultural relevance. Then, they
will aid TLF in filling Hope Boxes with helpful
resources while sharing TLF related events and
resources through social media platforms and
their newsletter at least four times a year.
THE UNC LINEBERGER COMPREHENSIVE
CANCER CENTER, based in Chapel
Hill, North Carolina, U.S., has chosen to work
on four barriers including Clinical Trials, Representation,
Financial, and Access to Care barriers.
They will commit to four action items. First, they
will investigate, identify, and address disparities
among Black women with breast cancer in partnership
with Black women and their communities.
Second, they will utilize their Office of
Community Outreach and Engagement and its
Community Advisory Board to research breast
cancer disparities throughout North Carolina.
Next, they will provide individuals and families
with financial assistance so they can receive
care. Finally, they will continue to educate and
engage their staff to address systematic racism
and inequalities in the workplace through its
Equity Council.
OFF SCRIPT MEDIA, founded in New York,
U.S., has decided to address barriers such as
Communication, Representation, Literacy, and
Education. They agree to complete four action
items. First, they will ensure diversity in messaging
advised and curated by people of color.
Second, they will work to end barriers to literacy
with allies by highlighting the perspectives of
people of color. Next, they will bolster representation
by partnering with diverse patient groups
of color. Lastly, they will work with partners to
enhance awareness of the importance of diversity
and inclusion.
ELI LILLY AND COMPANY, established
in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S., has chosen to
respond to six barriers. They include Representation,
Communication, Literacy, Trust, Financial,
and Clinical Trials. They plan on hosting a
diversity-based town hall that is curated in partnership
with TLF. In addition to that, they will
continue their commitment to TLF and collaborate
with us to ensure diverse patient centricity is
integrated into leadership from product development,
trial design, marketing and launch.
These five organizations are just the tip of the
iceberg when it comes to the groups that have
signed the Inclusion Pledge! Their commitment
to TLF and ending the health disparities women
of color experience is a step in the right direction.
One of the best things about the Inclusion Pledge
is the community and alliance that is created
between TLF and Inclusion Pledgers. TLF is
excited to work with new and existing organizations
that believe in our mission to support
and advocate for Black women before, during,
and after their breast cancer diagnosis. Joining
the community of Inclusion Pledgers not only
drives your organization to be its best but also
expands the commitment to individuals in their
breast cancer journey.
Will you sign the Inclusion Pledge today
and commit to advocacy on behalf of Black
women and women of color? Not only are
we looking for organizations to sign the
pledge, we are looking to end the year with
15,000 individual signatures and have over
12,000 signatures and commitments at the
start of June. l
MY LIFE MATTERS
FALL 2021
9
https://www.tigerlilyfoundation.org/inclusionpledgeforblackwomen/
My Life Matters - Fall 2021

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