The National
Race for the Cure®: Leaving its
Footprint on Breast Cancer Policy on Capitol Hill
As a
breast-cancer survivor, Sarah Aschenbach understands the impact
monthly breast self-exams and quality breast health services have on
a breast cancer patient’s survival. Until participating in the Susan
G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation National Race for the Cure®, she
didn’t know the impact she could have in the lives of thousands of
women by participating in breast cancer public policy initiatives.
It was at the Komen National Race that she signed up for Komen
Champions for the Cure™, the Komen Foundation’s network of men and
women committed to influencing breast cancer policy.
During last
year’s Komen National Race for the Cure®, volunteers gathered more
than 1,000 signatures on a petition calling for Congress to
authorize two critical federal programs that ensure the quality of
mammography and provide access to early detection and education
programs for low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women.
“Public policy
is very important because when you’re told you have breast cancer,
the last thing you want to worry about is, ‘How am I going to pay
for this?’” Aschenbach said. “The people who work on the public
policy front do that work for
survivors, so all we have to worry about is getting better.”
Komen
Champions for the CureTM is a public policy grassroots
program designed to educate Congress, the administration
policymakers, Komen Affiliates and the public about what they can do
to make a difference in breast cancer policy. Events like the Komen
National Race for the Cure® provide an opportunity to reach out to
those interested in affecting public policy and raising important
breast cancer issues on a national and local level.
Sarah
considers herself lucky to be involved with Komen Champions for the
Cure™ and for the behind-the-scenes support the program provides.
“I was 20
years old when diagnosed with breast cancer. It was such an awful
experience, but luckily my mom and dad took control,” Aschenbach
remembered. “That’s how I see the work of the Komen Foundation: they
strive to influence public policy so when people are diagnosed, they
can receive quality care.”
The Komen
Foundation works closely with Komen Champions participating in the
project to build, educate, support and sustain grassroots breast
health and breast cancer care public policy and advocacy.
These innovative programs allow Washington, D.C.-area
residents to join thousands of individuals nationwide in the effort
to raise awareness of important breast cancer policy issues and
provide a presence on Capitol Hill.
Breast cancer
survivors from the Washington, D.C.-area, like Aschenbach, also have
the opportunity to be part of the Komen Foundation Public Policy
Luncheon, an event to honor key breast cancer advocates in the
policy arena, and Lobby Day, an event that empowers local survivors
and Komen Affiliates to talk with members of Congress about key
breast health issues.
“Komen
Champions for the Cure™ makes a real impact, not just on quality of
care, but on the public’s awareness level and perception about the
disease and how it affects not just the women, but their families
and friends,” Aschenbach said.
Komen
Champions for the Cure™ was inspired by the tens of thousands of
Komen Foundation volunteers across the country, in more than 100
Affiliates in 47 states, working in their local communities with
policy-makers and other community leaders, and with their state
health departments. The Komen Foundation recognized the first-hand
experience of its Affiliates was an important perspective to provide
to policy-makers about local needs that impact real people.
“Komen
Champions for the Cure™ volunteers are working tirelessly at the
federal, state, and local levels, to influence breast cancer public
policy, particularly as it relates to underserved populations, for
which mortality rates from breast cancer are higher,” said Shelley
Fuld Nasso, public policy specialist for the Komen Foundation and
manager of the Komen Champions for the Cure™ program. To join Komen
Champions for the Cure™ visit the Komen Foundation booth at the
Komen National Race for the Cure® on Saturday, June 4.
“The Komen
National Race for the Cure® is an excellent opportunity for people
who care about breast cancer to make a difference, both by raising
money for an important cause and by speaking up about important
government programs that save lives,” said Fuld Nasso. “Even if you
cannot participate in the Komen National Race, you can still join in
the fight by going to www.ActNowEndBreastCancer.org,
where you can send a letter to your legislators about breast cancer
and become a member of Komen Champions for the Cure™.”
This year’s
Komen National Race will be an encompassing and powerful event
representing the Komen Foundation’s efforts nationwide. To register
or learn more about the Komen National Race, visit
www.nationalraceforthecure.org or call 703.848.8884. To
learn more about the Komen Foundation’s public policy initiatives,
priorities and positions on breast cancer legislation or for more
information about the Komen Champions for the Cure™ program, visit
www.ActNowEndBreastCancer.org.
For more
information on breast health or breast cancer, visit the
Foundation’s Web site at
www.komen.org
or call the Foundation’s National Toll-Free Breast Care Helpline at
1.800. I’M AWARE® (1.800.462.9273).
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