Lack of trauma centers means lives are being lost, say concerned lawmakers and officials

Someone shot or otherwise seriously injured on Chicago’s violence-plagued South Side waits nearly 50 percent longer to get to a trauma center than anywhere else in the city, a delay that medical experts say costs lives and that local community leaders and a leading area lawmaker say is simply unacceptable.

The situation came under the spotlight earlier this week when Illinois State Senator Mattie Hunter, a Chicago Democrat, convened the first-of-its kind hearing looking into the lack of trauma centers across a wide swath of the city’s South Side.

These neighborhoods have been dubbed “trauma center deserts” because of the scarcity of high-level emergency care for adults. The real-world implications are that victims of violence have to be transported greater distances in situations where every second can be precious.

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State Senator Mattie Hunter joined representatives from the Illinois Lottery, family of Carolyn Adams and Department of Public Health Director LaMar Hasbrouck for the launching of the 10th edition of the "Ticket for a Cure," a lottery game that raises money for breast cancer research, promoting education and awareness. The event took place at the Loyola Medical Center in the Cardinal Bernardine Cancer Center in Maywood.

In 2011, Hunter sponsored legislation that allowed the Ticket for the Cure to be renamed in honor of former Illinois Lottery Superintendant Carolyn Adams, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2007 at the age of 44. This year's ticket is the first edition since the ticket was renamed.

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State Senator Mattie Hunter received IADDA’s C. Vincent Bakeman Memorial Award on September 5 for her outstanding work as a certified licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor and consistent advocacy for substance abuse treatment as a public servant.

The late founder and former CEO/President of Human Development Resources, Inc., Dr. C Vincent Bakeman work across a variety of disciplines, including behavioral health, strategic planning, education, research and substance abuse. Dr. Bakeman was committed to his dream of providing equal access to substance abuse treatment and prevention for all.

“I am humbled to receive this award for my work to fight substance abuse. Named after my mentor, Dr. Bakeman, it is a magnificent way of honoring his legacy,” said Hunter.

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State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) saw two measures geared towards breast cancer prevention and awareness approved by Governor Pat Quinn.

"Early detection gives people with breast cancer a much higher survival rate," said Hunter, chairwoman of the Human Services Committee. "Breast cancer is a life-threatening disease that can be overcome but only with routine check-ups and proper education."

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