Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance Responds to Hillary Clinton's Breast Cancer Proposal

Dallas, TX – After hearing of Senator Hillary Clinton's proposal to increase funding for breast cancer research and treatment, setting a goal of finding a cure for the disease within 10 years, Shelley Fuld Nasso, director of public policy for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance issued the following statement:

"It was good to hear Senator Clinton publicly address breast cancer issues as part of her agenda. As a leader in the breast cancer movement for the past 26 years, no one understands more than Susan G. Komen for the Cure the dire impact this disease is having on women and men across the country. That's why through the Advocacy Alliance we have aggressively called on all public officials and candidates for public office to promise an increased commitment to closing the screening and treatment gaps and discovering the cures. We look forward to the other candidates discussing this issue as well. Breast cancer is not a partisan issue – it touches each of us in some way, and discovering its cures will be a bi-partisan accomplishment.

"Susan G. Komen for the Cure has made a promise to do its part to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures. We have invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. In fact, every major advance in breast cancer research has been touched by a Komen grant.

"Through the Komen Advocacy Alliance, we have actively sought to educate policy makers, opinion leaders and the public about the importance of investing in research and in closing the gaps in screening and treatment that make this disease more deadly for some women than others. If leaders from the White House to the state houses join us in this commitment, we will end breast cancer in our lifetimes."

A recent nationwide survey commissioned by the Komen Advocacy Alliance revealed voters' attitudes about health care, breast cancer and the 2008 election. More than 90 percent of voters want the federal government to pay more attention to breast cancer research, screening and early detection and access to quality care for all. A majority of voters (62 percent) believe breast cancer is the most critical health problem facing women today. This is also true among low-income, minority and underserved populations surveyed, which are more likely to die from breast cancer than white women.

Last year the Komen Advocacy Alliance launched I Vote for the Cure^TM, a special project to educate voters and challenge the presidential candidates to make breast cancer a priority in their platforms and for our country. We are challenging candidates to address three achievable goals that will save lives and help end breast cancer forever: increasing investment in translational research, improving access to screening, and ensuring quality treatment for all women.