Wednesday, November 08, 2006

We'd Love To Hear From You!

We welcome your comments, suggestions and ideas. We encourage you to share your comments here on this blog site.
Thanks! Scene Staff
Posted by Scene In S.A. at 4:54 PM

1 comments:

b3courage said...

Dear Mr. Booker & Scene in SA Magazine,

I was first disappointed by your magazine’s ill represented views of a very worthy non-profit organization, Girls Inc. This national organization encourages all girls to become Strong, Smart, & Bold (as it’s motto states) through research-based programs. You all chose to put it down due to a partnership with American Girl and the media hype created around sex-education. Shame on you for your lack of research prior to writing the article.

So, I made a personal promise with myself to never advertise in or buy your magazine again. However, as I was waiting in a long line at the grocery store, I glanced over at the newest Scene In SA to recognize the names of several homeowners in San Antonio. My curiosity peaked, so I started to flip through the pages. I was finally forced to buy the magazine due to the fact that I couldn’t put it back before looking obviously guilty that I’d read the whole thing prior to check out. Therefore, I caved and broke my personal promise. I came home and finished the magazine. As I got to the last page, “The Brier Patch” and read the article, I was reminded why I should’ve kept my personal promise.

If you’re going to write an article regarding Governor Perry’s attempts to require an HPV Vaccine, the least you could do is have a woman write it- not a man who’s views are clearly swayed against our Governor. Because, instead of presenting unbiased information, this article was filled with negative remarks about the governor, the issues at hand, and what seems to be right.

After reading the article, it made me feel that if a prevention drug for breast cancer or HIV/AIDS was found and the Governor was indorsing it, Mr. Booker would still find a way to make it about politics rather than the positive outcomes of saving lives.

I was diagnosed with HPV in college. I had no idea what it was, how I got it, or how to prevent it. I have learned a lot since then and feel fortunate that it has never developed into Cervical Cancer. Every 6 months I make my trip to the gynecologist for my PAP smear. PAP’s are done every 12 months, however with HPV, females are required to get this uncomfortable procedure more often. I walk in and out of the doctor’s office with a fear that I can’t describe- just praying that the results are okay. And, every year or so, they come back irregular, so I have to make another visit for a procedure called a colposcopy, where biopsies are taken from several areas of the cervix for further review. Again, waiting for these results is a few more days of worry and stress.

The vaccine for HPV would guard females from this worry and stress that I go through annually. Yes, it has a cost associated with it; however, it is a cost well worth it. Mr. Booker, I challenge you do deal with the issues women face regarding their bodies without worries of HPV. You make an annual trip to the gynecologist, you deal with monthly menstruation, you deal with sexual decisions. Then, you will be qualified to write an article regarding a vaccine for women. If cost is your beef, then tell me, would you not pay for a vaccine for HIV? Not all cases of HIV turn in to AIDS, just like HPV doesn’t always turn in to Cervical Cancer. However, if we can prevent this, I think we can deal with the costs.

Take off your political hat for one moment, and look at the individuals who this would affect. Perhaps I am naïve in the fact that I choose to believe this vaccine is about health rather than the money to be made by Merck, one of Perry’s supporters. But saving lives usually has a cost associated with it. So, someone will benefit. In this case, I believe the strongest beneficiaries are the females who should be required to get the vaccine.

3/27/2007 10:29 AM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)