Community Events

The report “Breaking Barriers: Unpacking Breast Cancer Challenges & Triumphs for South Asian Americans” delves into critical aspects of the South Asian American experience with breast cancer, shedding light on the pressing issues our community faces.
With a notable gap in data on South Asians in the United States, SAAPRI strives to fill this void through rigorous data collection and analysis, identifying our community’s needs and driving effective change. Our goal is to not only present these findings but to also engage our community in meaningful dialogue. We believe that by coming together, we can address these challenges and collectively make a significant impact.

At the event, people can look forward to an insightful panel discussion, presentations, speeches from community leaders, and engaging conversations about breast cancer and the ways in which South Asian Americans interact with it. SAAPRI’s strength comes from the support of our community, and we deeply value our connection with everyone’s contributions to our mission.

This event marks a significant milestone for us, as it is the culmination of years of education, dialogue, and research that our dedicated team has worked on. Please find below a brief outline of the event:

Welcome, Refreshments & Networking

Session 1 | Data: Exploring the Breast Cancer Screening and Survivorship Attitudes of South Asian Americans

Session 2 | Panel: Expert Perspectives on the State of Breast Cancer in the South Asian American Community
featuring:

Rep. Nabeela Syed, Illinois State House of Representatives (IL- 51)

Dr. Maura Quinlan, Illinois Dept of Public Health (IDPH)

Anita Banerji, Breast Cancer Survivor and Advocate

Dr. Priyanka Gokhale, UIC Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Dr. Rabia Z. Bhatti, Tiesenga Surgical Associates, SC

Session 3 | Dialogue: Roundtable Discussion with Audience Members and Experts