March 20, 2008 Survivor Recognition Dinner
Thank You to Marcia Wheat and Marci Sanders Dinner and Fashion Show Chairs

I am thrilled to report that the Sister Study has nearly reached our goal of enrolling 50,000 women. While this is an exciting milestone, it is also bittersweet as we will need to turn away some women who want to participate in the study.  As we prepare for the end of the enrollment phase of the study, we want to make sure that certain groups that are not yet as well represented among participants have an opportunity to join the Sister Study.  As of April 1, 2008, we are limiting enrollment to specific groups of women who are underrepresented in the study so that results will apply to all.  

We still need African Americans, Latinas, Asians and Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans 35-74 to continue enrolling.

• Caucasian women may enroll if they:
  • Have a high school degree or less, or
  • Are between the ages of 65-74

Caucasian women 35-64 years old with more than a high school degree will no longer be able to enroll, but can help the Sister Study in other ways.  Like others who cannot join the study, they can play a vital role by spreading the word about the study and encouraging women who are underrepresented in the study to enroll.

Please continue to check our website for up-to-date information about the study and materials to use in recruitment efforts during the remaining months.  We look forward to your continued support of the Sister Study through 2008 as we work to make sure that the Sister Study is as diverse as possible.  Please call the Sister Study at 1-877-474-7837 if you have any questions about these changes. 

I appreciate all of your efforts on our behalf.  As we started the study with our Vanguard women in late 2003, it was hard to imagine just how successful we would be in recruiting 50,000 women for the Sister Study.  We owe this success to our many supporting
 

Dale P. Sandler PhD
Chief, Epidemiology Branch
Principal Investigator of the Sister Study
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
National Institutes of Health
www.sisterstudy.org

Table setting for Survivor Dinner

Robert Van Winkle, NBC2 Meterologist introduces Catherine Marsh who is our longest breast cancer survivor with 47 years of survivorship.

Survivors Enjoying the Evening.

Marcia Wheat, Survivor Dinner Chair
With Meg Judge, Race Honorary Chair

Jennifer McWhinnie, Amy Mendello, Jennifer Stanley and Patty Gift model clothing provided by New Balance of Naples.

Marci Sanders, Board President announces drawing prize winners.