Their House Concurrent Resolution 109 encourages Americans to participate in the foundation’s fundraisers, including the June 6 Race for the Cure.
The resolution also expresses admiration for those who have survived the disease and support for those currently battling it. Wasserman-Schultz is herself a breast cancer survivor.
“I am amazed by the courage of the women and men who fight this disease,” Sablan said. “People like Mrs. Wasserman-Schultz are role models to us all for their inspiring determination.”
Wasserman-Schultz announced in March that while campaigning for reelection and volunteering on the presidential campaign, she had also been battling breast cancer, going to chemotherapy and radiation treatments in secret, often heading straight back to the office to complete her congressional duties.
In March, Sablan co-sponsored the EARLY Act, introduced by Wasserman-Schultz, which promotes education for early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
“I am so glad we could work together to promote awareness of this disease,” Sablan said of his work with Wasserman-Schultz in Congress.
He also congratulated those in the Northern Marianas who have been active in the fight against breast cancer.
Last year Saipan fielded its own team to participate in the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk in Seattle.
The “Saipan Sweet Feet” team included Bobbi Grizzard, Marian Aldan Pierce, Clarie Kosak, Pam Brown, Rhoda Smith, Roberta Guerrero, Kazuyo Tojo, and Corrine Loprinzi, Brown’s sister-in-law from Portland, Oregon.
Money raised in the 3-Day Walk goes to medical research, but also provides support for those with the disease and their families.
This year the Komen Foundation offered $10,000, four-year scholarships to students who would otherwise find attending college to be unaffordable due to the loss of a parent to breast cancer.
Information about the 3-Day Walk is available at http://www.the 3day.org.
“I encourage Americans to participate in the Komen Race for the Cure and Walk for the Cure to help this wonderful foundation which is really making a difference in the lives of so many,” said Sablan.
Breast cancer is a disease that can strike both men and women, regardless of age, but is most common in middle-aged women.
Over a million women around the world are diagnosed with the disease every year, and 456,000 die from it.
Rates of breast cancer are much higher and survival rates much lower in communities with fewer resources, so part of the mission of the Komen Foundation is to promote education about the disease and help people access treatment.
Over 50,000 participants, including 4,000 breast cancer survivors, are expected to participate in this year’s National Race for the Cure in Washington, D.C., and even more will walk and run around the world.
Last year, participants in these races raised over $3 million to fund research grants and educational programs.
All told the Komen Foundation has invested nearly $1.2 billion in the fight against breast cancer.
