IBC Proclamations bringing awareness throughout the United States,
instigated by advocates in these states.  More will be added as they
are proclaimed.

States joining our cause, with a proclamation for IBC Education  during the month of October.  We need 10 or more for  this to become  Nationally recognized each October.    

Washington State was the first.  Other States are following.
In 2006 Governor Christine Gregoire, WA, signed the first week
in October to IBC Awareness Week.  You can take this proclamation
to your own State Legislator's.  Awareness is power.

Phil Willingham was the driving force behind the Washington State
Proclamation, first in 2006 with the first week, then again in 2007
with the entire month devoted to IBC Awareness.  Bravo Phil.
Governor Gregoire again, in 2008 and in 2009 proclaimed the month of October.
Thank you Christine, you are helping pave the way for better education.

The latest Proclamation signed
April 8, 2009 with added
language from the University
of Washington and the work
of the Tumor Vaccine Group,
Dr. Nora Disis director and
Dr. Lupe Salizar.


Pictured:  Dr. Lupe Salazar, Patti Bradfield, Molly Boettcher, 
 Kathryn Gordon, Nicole Bates, Doreen Higgins & Nancy Key 
with Govenor Gregoire.

Sunnie Jacobs from Florida, was the driving force behind Florida's
Proclamation. 
This is her second year bringing
Florida to IBC education. 
Sunnie continues to amaze us all.
The 2009 Proclamation will be up
soon.

 New York Proclamation
which Sunnie instigated and moved
through the state will be up soon.
Way to go Sunnie.

Peggy Stephens was the driving force behind getting Michigan to
declare IBC Awareness week in October.  Good work Peggy.

Marilyn "Mare" Kirschenbaum, our Vice President pushed through to
completion Illinois joining the line up of States making October awareness.

October 7, 2007
Olympia, Washington

Governor Chris Gregoire, right, speaks with Phil Willingham after signing the proclamation on Tuesday, October 2, 2007.










What women don't know about cancer can kill them.

Especially when it comes to the most deadly form of breast cancer: Inflammatory Breast Cancer. In a series of reports, KOMO 4 brought international attention to IBC.

Now, the governor is helping spread the word.

"You were the inspiration, Phil! " Governor Chris Gregoire said Tuesday as she signs a proclamation declaring October "Inflammatory Breast Cancer Awareness Month" in our state.

The governor, a breast cancer survivor, is betting that most of us don't know there's more than one kind of breast cancer. She was happy to honor Phil Willingham's plea to warn others.

"My objective is to have every woman and doctor in America know about this disease," says Willingham. The Carnation man is starting with the state of Washington. He's been on a one-man crusade to warn as many women as will listen.

He said it's a warning his wife never got before she was diagnosed with IBC.

"Thank you KOMO and thank you Phil for your tremendous leadership," Gregoire said moments after signing the proclamation. "This is a form of breast cancer hard to detect and diagnosis. The only way to get ourselves to address this is if we get the message out."

Phil's wife, Marilyn was also misdiagnosed. "She smiled and took a breath and went to sleep," says Willingham.

He was with Marilyn when she died, just two weeks before Christmas.

We uncovered countless cases across the country of women who told KOMO 4 their doctors misdiagnosed IBC for a breast infection or a bug bite.

Typical IBC symptoms can include rapid increase in breast size, redness, skin hot to the touch and itchy, and thickened breast tissue. The National Cancer Institute says IBC accounts for one to five percent of all breast cancer in the U.S.

And IBC usually attacks without a detectable lump and a mammogram rarely finds it.

"It's something more than a proclamation, it's a cause," said Willingham, who always has a stash of brochures about IBC handy.

Tina Turck never heard of IBC until she got it. Last August she warned other women in a KOMO 4 Special report. She died almost one year to the day after that broadcast.

She was only 37 when she was diagnosed -- three years younger than the recommended age to start mammograms.

"If I heard of it prior, I probably would have been more suspect that something was wrong," said Tina Turck in an interview last year.

With IBC Awareness Month in Washington, now you know.

Cancer experts tell us the best way to detect Inflammatory Breast Cancer is with a biopsy.

September 2006
Washington State Capitol

September 2006 
Washington State Capitol                  The Capitol steps
    Tina Turck and Mom, Patti Bradfield
















Nancy Key, Deena McIlroy
Tina Turck, Patti Bradfield

The Capitol steps
    Tina Turck and Mom, Patti Bradfield


* In Beloved Memory of Deena McIlroy and Kristine (Tina) Turck who left a strong legacy. 

They left us too soon, but we will carry their torch. For they and others before and after them, is why The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Foundation was founded.