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Proclamation declaring the month of October 2016 as “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” in Allegheny County.
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WHEREAS, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was founded in 1985 to promote mammography as a weapon in the fight against breast cancer; in 1991 the Susan G. Komen Foundation first utilized the Pink Ribbon as a symbol for the cause in its New York City race for breast cancer survivors; and
WHEREAS, Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists who fight to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all, and energize science to find cures; and
WHEREAS, despite considerable progress made in screening, early detection and better treatments, and although mortality rates are steadily decreasing, breast cancer is still the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in our country; and
WHEREAS, knowing the risk factors for breast cancer, including family and personal history, obesity, genetic changes and prior exposure to radiation, as well as exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy balanced diet and body weight, and regular diagnostic screening, may lower or mitigate the development of breast cancer; and
WHEREAS, Allegheny County holds the health and safety of its citizens as a permanent concern, during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we stand with our mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends, and we recognize all who have joined their loved ones in fighting their battle, as well as the advocates, researchers, and health care providers whose care and hard work gives hope to those living with breast cancer. By educating ourselves and supporting innovative research, we will improve the quality of life for all Americans affected by breast cancer and, one day, defeat this terrible disease;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Allegheny County Council does hereby join the nation in proclaiming October 2016 as “Breast Cancer Awareness Month.” We commend the efforts of the Pittsburgh Chapter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and we encourage all citizens to join in activities that will increase awareness of what Americans can do to prevent and control breast cancer.
WHEREAS, organizations across Allegheny County and the United States come together every October to spread the important message of breast cancer awareness; and
WHEREAS, the Pittsburgh-based nonprofit, A Glimmer of Hope Foundation, was established in 1994 by Diana Napper to honor the wishes of her best friend, the late Carol Jo Weiss Friedman, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 1990. Diana became a jewelry designer and created a pin using a Swarovski teardrop crystal, symbolizing the pain and emotion that she and her friend had endured, and completed the design by topping it with a pearl to symbolize the hope for a cure; and
WHEREAS, A Glimmer of Hope Foundation is a nonprofit, grassroots effort, with a staff of 50 volunteers committed to the fight against breast cancer through cancer research and programs, and studies in premenopausal breast cancer; and
WHEREAS, A Glimmer of Hope Foundation has donated over 3 million dollars for breast cancer projects to local hospitals and cancer research centers in southwestern Pennsylvania, including a $171,000 donation in October 2014 to the Allegheny Health Network for the installation of a SenoClaire tomosynthesis machine at the Wexford Health & Wellness Pavilion. The machine was the first of its kind in the nation and has revolutionized mammography and breast cancer screening;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Allegheny County Council does hereby proclaim the month of October 2016 as “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” in Allegheny County. We commend the efforts of A Glimmer of Hope Foundation, and we renew our commitment to fighting this disease, raising awareness, and supporting those affected by breast cancer.
WHEREAS, organizations across Allegheny County and the United States come together every October to spread the important message of breast cancer awareness; and
WHEREAS, the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) Foundation, Inc., located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a not-for-profit academic research organization with a nearly 60-year history of conducting ground-breaking research studies in breast and colorectal cancer. The Foundation is an outgrowth of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project, instituted in 1958 as part of the National Cancer Institute’s clinical trials program; and
WHEREAS, founder of the NSABP, Dr. Bernard Fisher was one of the first cancer researchers to realize the value of the randomized clinical trial in answering questions about the development, progression, and treatment of breast and colorectal cancer; and
WHEREAS, in its history the NSABP has enrolled more than 110,000 women and men in clinical trials in breast and colorectal cancer; they have research sites at nearly 700 major medical centers, university hospitals, large oncology practice groups, and health maintenance organizations in the United States, Canada, and Ireland, and at those sites and their satellites, about 5,000 physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals conduct NSABP treatment and prevention trials;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Allegheny County Council does hereby proclaim the month of October 2016 as “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” in Allegheny County. We commend the efforts of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project Foundation, Inc., and we call upon government officials, businesses, communities, health care professionals, educators, volunteers, and the residents of Allegheny County to continue our community’s strong commitment to preventing, treating, and ultimately curing breast cancer.