Charleston, SC, June 18, 2008 - Members of the Lowcountry Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® traveled to Washington, DC earlier this month, to help make the case for more funding for cancer research and access to screening and treatment.

Lucy Spears, Bonnie Hancock and Ellen Byrd, breast cancer survivors and Komen Lowcountry Affiliate volunteers joined nearly 300 survivors and activists to build a foundation of support for comprehensive cancer legislation, the Kennedy-Hutchinson Bill, which is expected to soon be formally presented in the Senate.

The bill, spearheaded by Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX), is a bi-partisan movement to evaluate the nation's progress on cancer research and treatment. It encompasses several bills addressing cancer prevention, treatment and survivorship that were introduced last year.

The Kennedy-Hutchison Bill will:

• Focus on translational research, meaning new discoveries and breakthroughs in the laboratory will get to the patients as quickly as possible.
• Remove barriers in the research process that hinder new discoveries, by promoting collaboration, public-private partnerships and engaging young researchers.
• Place an emphasis on early detection.
• Improve access to cancer care for underserved populations, which includes expanding access to clinical trials.

The Lowcountry Affiliate delegation reminded members of Congress that despite the many investments and advancements over the past three decades, 40 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives, including approximately 1.4 million new cases. This year alone, cancer will kill more than a half million people- nearly 1,500 people per day.

"Thirty-five years after our nation declared war on cancer, we are still facing a cancer crisis," said Lucy Spears, vice president of the Komen Lowcountry board of directors. Our push on Capitol Hill should help build momentum for an all-out assault on all cancers. This isn't just about breast cancer."

About the Lowcountry Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure
The Lowcountry Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure - along with those who generously support us with their talent, time and resources-is working to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in our community. We join breast cancer survivors and activists around the globe as part of the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting breast cancer. Through events like the Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure, we have invested more than $2 million in local breast health and breast cancer awareness projects in 12 counties. Seventy-five percent of net proceeds generated by the Komen Lowcountry Affiliate stay in our 12-county service area while the remaining income goes to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure international breast cancer research program. Join us by calling (843) 556-8011.



Media Contact:
Jessica Munday
Komen PR Chair
jessica@trio-solutions.com
(843) 216-0442