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2016 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 201
Commending the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 29, 2016
Agreed to by the Senate, February 4, 2016

 

WHEREAS, in 2016, the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation celebrates 25 years of educating Virginians about breast cancer, advocating for those affected by breast cancer, and working to establish eradication of breast cancer as a priority; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation began in 1991 when five women meeting in a breast cancer support group decided to organize to fight the disease; the next year, they staged a Mother’s Day Rally at the Virginia State Capitol to bring attention to the disease; and

WHEREAS, for the past 25 years, the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation has served as a staunch advocate for those with breast cancer, working for Medicaid coverage for mammography, health insurance coverage for breast reconstruction and a 48-hour hospital stay following a mastectomy, prohibition of health insurance discrimination, breast density notification, oral chemotherapy drug parity, and increased cancer center funding at Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, for those newly diagnosed with breast cancer, the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation provides a Newly Diagnosed Kit with key information about local support groups, patient navigator services, financial resources, and clinical trials; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation sends volunteers to the Remote Area Medical Clinic program throughout Virginia, recently including Wise County and the Town of Warsaw, to provide educational resources on breast cancer to the residents of underserved areas; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation has five active volunteer chapters across the Commonwealth representing the regions of the Blue Ridge, Central Virginia, Hampton Roads, and Prince William County; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation provides a wealth of information and resources about breast health and breast cancer, including distribution of over 150,000 free and bilingual educational materials annually; state and local conferences; and “Stay Abreast,” an educational speakers’ bureau that provides presentations on breast health and breast cancer to interested organizations; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation provides an up-to-date website with breast cancer resources, maintains an active social media presence, and widely distributes a newsletter that provides the latest education and research about breast cancer and information about the Foundation’s activities; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation presents the annual Sherry Kohlenberg Health Care Service Award to honor a Virginia health care professional who exhibits a deep and abiding commitment to the fight against breast cancer by going above and beyond what is normally expected of a competent, caring professional working with people affected by breast cancer; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation awards the annual Karin Decker Noss Scholarship to provide a Virginia resident with national training in breast cancer medical research and legislative advocacy to bring back and share with state peers; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation builds awareness for breast cancer through its Pink Ribbon License Plate issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, with over 9,000 plates on the road; and

WHEREAS, since 2000, the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation and its local chapters have granted over $60,000 to Virginia’s local libraries to purchase up-to-date breast cancer materials and to nonprofits to provide breast health education services in local communities across the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation has provided a valuable service to the residents of the Commonwealth and the nation through its advocacy and educational efforts; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation on the occasion of its 25th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation as an expression of the General Assembly’s congratulations and gratitude for its extraordinary dedication to helping those with breast cancer and commitment to eradicating the disease.