Cheerleaders Tackle Breast Cancer

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Ravens' cheerleaders will be passing out temporary tattoos depicting pink ribbons at M&T Bank Stadium this weekend. If you get one from Talmesha, the ribbon might come with a little advice.

Talmesha, in her third year cheering for the Ravens, is currently working towards her doctorate in cellular and molecular medicine at Johns Hopkins University with a focus on breast cancer.

After graduating from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County with a degree in chemical engineering and mathematics, Talmesha wanted to continue her studies in the medical field. She went on to Hopkins with the intent to study different fields through research "rotations," and breast cancer seemed like the right fit.

"I was interested in a variety of subjects, but of those rotations, breast cancer was the most interesting, and I really wanted to learn more about how I can help fight this disease," she said. "Everything kind of fell into place.

"Right now, I'm focusing on particular types of drugs that will hopefully prove to decrease the growth of tumors."

After years of work, the Baltimore native doesn't have a complicated message about the disease.

"The biggest thing is just to get checked," she explained. "Mammograms are important, especially for young women who tend to say, ‘Oh, I'm too young. That won't happen to me.' Well, the reality is that it can. With so many other risk factors, like drinking, smoking and your diet. You have to do what you can."

Talmesha recommends a monthly breast exam, regardless of age, race, or gender.

The Ravens and the NFL have teamed up over the past two weeks to raise awareness of breast cancer. The league has made public service announcements, while coaches and staff wore commemorative pins on the sideline of game the week of Oct. 7. In addition, teams used special pink Gatorade towels that were then autographed and are currently being auctioned off at www.NFLauction.com.