WEST SPRINGFIELD-Susan Dubilo of Westfield is on a mission – to educate area residents about setting up home environments that have less toxins – ensuring future generations will have less exposure to cancer-causing agents.
“We have to educate people about the dangers we are exposed to every day,” said Dubilo, who is serving as a community volunteer facilitator for the innovative monthly educational series, “No Toxins Please! How to Eliminate or Reduce Toxins in our Food, Water, Air, Cosmetics and Cleaning Products … and More.” The series, sponsored by the Cancer House of Hope in West Springfield and the Cancer Connection in Northampton, is free and open to the public.
Dubilo, a breast cancer survivor, is a retired psychiatric nurse clinician and community health educator.
“I believe this topic is of great importance but not easy to address,” said Dubilo. “Solutions may not be easy to find or implement, however, do so we must.”
Cheryl A. Osimo, executive director, Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) and one of the founders of the Silent Spring Institute, shared a similar sentiment. Osimo, a former elementary school teacher, also serves as the Institute’s Cape Cod coordinator.
Cheryl A. Osimo will present an informative lecture titled “Cancer Prevention: Where Are We Now?” on May 2 at the Cancer House of Hope.
“The focus of my talk will be MBCC’s Let’s Talk Prevention: Reducing Toxic Exposures program and tour which travels throughout the Commonwealth,” said Osimo. “The program is designed to increase awareness and discussions about environmental exposures and chemicals of concern.”
Her talk is titled “Cancer Prevention: Where Are We Now?” and is slated May 2 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Cancer House of Hope, 1999 Westfield St.
“It is my hope that people will attend so that I can share the vital health information that the Let’s Talk Prevention program provides,” said Osimo. “Minimizing exposures to chemicals linked with negative health impacts can lessen the burden of disease and improve public health.”
Osimo has been a devoted breast cancer activist and advocate since 1991 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 41. She joined MBCC because of the organization’s “commitment” to telling the truth about breast cancer. During her talk, she will discuss the history of MBCC which founded Silent Spring Institute in 1994, and touch on the unique relationship between the two organizations.
“I thought after two decades we would have more answers, however, we have more questions,” said Osimo, adding the situation “is discouraging.”
Osimo also plans to have a wealth of information available for attendees, including brochures with helpful tips on reducing one’s exposure to every day toxins in the environment.
“We need to come together as citizens, politicians, physicians, scientists and people from all walks of life to get the job done,” said Osimo, noting the environmental issues of today need to be solved now – not by “our grandchildren.”
Dubilo echoed those sentiments.
“I think it’s worth it to be involved in all this,” said Dubilo, adding, “nothing to lose; everything to gain.”
For more information on the series, call the Cancer House of Hope at (413) 733-1858.
The series continues on June 11 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Storrowton Village Museum, 1305 Memorial Ave., when Michele Barker presents a lecture titled “19th Century Gardening at Storrowton” which will present tips and tricks on staying away from harmful pesticides. A $5 fee will be charged. A rain date of June 12 has been set.
