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Dear Neighbors,
I hope this letter finds you and your family well. Thanksgiving is a good time to pause to give thanks and reflect on what makes us grateful. This year it is especially important.
Growing up in our community and now representing it, I want to give thanks to all the people who have made a difference in my life and in our community. Here I learned the value of helping others. This is why I want to share my story with you. I want to bring awareness and highlight the importance of health screenings - even during this pandemic.
This fall after my annual mammogram screening, I had a follow up visit where a tiny mass was discovered. A biopsy determined it was early stage breast cancer. I feel fortunate it was detected early.
I give thanks to all the nurses and doctors at the University of Minnesota who cared for me and who successfully removed the cancer cells within one month of being discovered. What a gift to our state to have a world-class university with doctors who treat us, educate new physicians, and do research that improves Minnesotans lives. Thanks to all of our health care workers who risk their own health to care for us. You are my heroes and in my prayers.
With the cancer cells now removed, best practice requires me to undergo three weeks of radiation therapy - sort of like an insurance policy. This is scheduled to be completed before session starts. I will take this experience with me to the Capitol, as I represent you.
Doctors and nurses shared with me how critical it is people get their health screenings done - even during this pandemic. I hope sharing my story inspires you and others to get screenings scheduled and done on time. Skin, colorectal, breast, cervical, and prostate screenings save lives. Early detection is important.
The Minnesota Department of Health’s Sage Screening Programs help keep Minnesotans healthy through screening and early detection of breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers. Free screenings are provided to people who:
o Do not have insurance
o Have insurance that does not cover screening or has a deductible or co-pay
o Have income within program guidelines
You can find the income eligibility here. If you have questions about getting screened, please call SAGE at 1-888-643-2584 or email health.sage@state.mn.us. Please share this resource with family and others who might need it.
I wish you and your entire family good health, peace, and joy! If you are experiencing physical or mental challenges, or have a loved one who is, my heart goes out to you. I want to extend my best wishes to you and your family for a holiday season filled with love.
Thank you for the honor of representing you at the State Capitol. Please let me know if I can be of help to you. You can contact me anytime with questions, concerns, and ideas or to let me know how I can be of assistance to you on state matters at rep.connie.bernardy@house.mn or 651-296-5510.
Take Care and Happy Holidays!
Connie Bernardy
State Representative
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