Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Contact: Jeanne H. Schmedlen
Director of Special Projects and Chief of Protocol
(717) 705-1894
(717) 421-8164 (cell)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 17, 2007
Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition Honors Speaker O’Brien
HARRISBURG – House Speaker Dennis M. O'Brien was deeply moved to be recognized today as a winner of the Pink Ribbon Award for his legislative action on breast cancer issues and his support of the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition for the past several years. He received the award at the coalition’s annual conference at the Harrisburg Hilton and Towers.
“Breast cancer kills more than 200,000 women every year,” said O’Brien. “It’s a despicable disease, often striking women in the prime of their lives. We have been blessed that in the past decade, great strides have been made in detection and treatment.
“So that we can reach our goal of finding a cure in our lifetime, I am pleased to join the battle against breast cancer by supporting the programs and legislation benefitting these women and their families fighting this disease. They have my promise that I will continue to support the coalition’s efforts in the future,” O’Brien said.
“Speaker O’Brien has been a long-time, tireless supporter of the PBCC and the women of Pennsylvania,” said Pat Halpin-Murphy, founder and president of the PBCC. “He recently introduced House Bill 1531, which now ensures that every Pennsylvania taxpayer will continue to have the opportunity to donate a portion of their state income tax refund to breast cancer research.
"Breast cancer impacts not
only those women who personally battle the disease. It affects children, husbands,
sisters, mothers, friends, and entire communities. It raises many questions and
leaves few answers," Halpin-Murphy said.
One thousand participants attended the awards luncheon and day-long sessions. Conference
attendees could choose from a variety of the 16 workshop topics being offered
at the conference. Workshop topics included breast cancer in young women,
genetic risk factors, breast cancer survivorship, exercise, and new trends in
mammography and treatment.
More information about the PBCC
and the Pink Ribbon Award given to Speaker O’Brien is available at www.pabreastcancer.org/conf.
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