OKEECHOBEE – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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At their Oct. 10 meeting, Okeechobee County Commissioners presented a proclamation to Julie Wetherington of Professionals for the Cure.
“National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a platform for educating women about the importance of early detection of breast cancer through mammography and other methods,” the proclamation states.
“Detection of breast cancer at an early stage greatly improves the chances for successful treatment and survival,” the proclamation continues. “Breast cancer death rates are declining probably due to improved detection and treatment.”
In October, Okeechobee County will also observe Careers in Construction Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month and as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.
Maddie Williams, Director of Workforce Programming serving St Lucie, Okeechobee, Martin and Indian River counties and on behalf of Treasure Coast Builders Association requested the board issue a Proclamation designating the month of October 2023 as Careers in Construction Month in Okeechobee County.
Careers in Construction Month (CICM) is a nationwide campaign held every October to increase public awareness of construction careers, inspire the next generation of craft professionals and make an impact on the perceptions of a career in construction. It is designated to increase public awareness and appreciation of construction craft professionals and the entire construction workforce.
During October, employers, trade associations, schools and other training facilities are encouraged to conduct job fairs, panel discussions and local community events to inform students and young adults of the vast employment opportunities in the trades; The Treasure Coast Builders Association, the Skilled Trades Committee, among other entities have established Student Memberships, Mentoring Programs, Ready to Work Boot Camps, Job Fairs, and Scholarships to increase awareness of these career opportunities and to support all programs that provide the educational pathways to obtain them.
Beth Schumer, of Helping People Succeed, asked the board to issue a proclamation for National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
“The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate the public about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities,” the proclamation states. “National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebrates its 78th anniversary in October 2023. The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month dates to 1945 when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.”
Andrea Medellin of Healthy Start asked the board to designate the month of October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.
“In October of each year, many other jurisdictions around the world bring awareness and remembrance of pregnancy and infant loss to communities and individuals to enable us to consider how we can meet the needs of bereaved parents and family members and also work to prevent causes of these problems,” the proclamation states. “Pregnancy and infant loss are such a common occurrence, one that is usually not recognized, with many Okeechobee parents and families having suffered a miscarriage, a stillbirth delivery or shortly after birth; and although there have been improvements, Florida’s infant mortality rate has consistently remained above the national average. The existence of these babies and infants deserved to be acknowledged.”
