Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month 2007
I'm fresh off of my trip to D.C. in observance of Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month. In one week’s time, we accomplished more than you could imagine. The Cancer Schmancer team met with Senators, Congresswomen (and men!) and reminded them how important it is to fully fund "Johanna's Law," also known as the Gynecologic Education and Awareness Act. This funding will allow the CDC to launch a national campaign to educate women about gynecologic cancers. It's about time!
We also spread the word that the U.S. is far behind in regulating skincare and beauty products, many of which are filled with carcinogens and suspected carcinogens. Check out www.SafeCosmetics.org to learn more. We also met with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) to make the case for why the transvaginal ultrasound should be part of basic gynecologic care for women.
It was Congressional Black Caucus Week as well. So, I was invited to speak on a distinguished panel hosted by Congressman John Conyers on how to fix America's broken health care system. I shared with everyone the trials and tribulations of the countless women with cancer who cannot get the tests and treatment they need because they are not adequately insured. This problem is precisely why we must galvanize as one collective female voice to remind Capitol Hill that our needs can no longer be overlooked!
We also participated in a Cancer Caucus briefing on Capitol Hill to educate members of Congress and their staff about gynecologic cancers and how Congress can address the problem. Sherry Salway Black, the Executive Director of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, also spoke to the importance of early detection and the need for more education of women’s caners. Congressman Steve Israel of New York hosted the panel and my dear friend, Congressman Patrick Kennedy, came to show his support, too!
While in town, I also spoke to the students at Georgetown University, where we recruited volunteers and sold our Cancer Schmancer merchandise. I reminded them that you're never too young to take control of your body. I think they took the message home – literally - because we sold out of every autographed copy of my New York Times best seller, Cancer Schmancer. Get your copy of this special edition autographed copy today - you can't find this baby anywhere else!
Meanwhile, there I was a few nights later eating a whole lotta' birthday cake. Capitol File hosted a private birthday party for me to celebrate turning 50 years young. My special guests included Senator Arlen Specter, Representative Rosa DeLauro, Representative Carolyn Maloney, Representative Jesse Jackson Jr., Representative Gus Bilirakis, Wolf and Lynn Blitzer and many more big-wigs like Ellen Sigal, who founded "Friends of Cancer Research" and Dr. Bernadine Healy who was the first woman to head the National Institutes of Health. They are all key supporters of Cancer Schmancer and Johanna's Law who have dedicated themselves to early detection of women’s cancers. What better birthday gift could I have asked for than their commitment to women's health?!
Next, we'll be going back to D.C. for a special ceremony that I will tell you all about soon. So, stay tuned...
