Breast Cancer Survivors, Advocates Head to Capitol Hill to Marshall Support for Comprehensive Cancer Legislation

Activist/Actor Ricardo Chavira Joins Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and 300 Affiliate Members from Across the Nation to Urge Congress to Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 5, 2008 – More than 300 breast cancer survivors and activists representing 82 Susan G. Komen for the Cure® affiliate groups from around the nation joined activist and actor Ricardo Chavira and Susan G. Komen for the Cure® CEO Hala Moddelmog today to urge support for comprehensive cancer legislation soon to be unveiled by Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX).

House Cancer Caucus co-chairs Lois Capps (D-CA), Steve Israel (D-NY) and Sue Myrick (R-NC) helped launch the 2008 Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Lobby Day at a kick-off event this morning on the west front terrace of the U.S. Capitol. Afterward, Chavira and the 300 Komen affiliate members fanned out for meetings with close to 300 Members of Congress.

President and CEO, Hala Moddelmog	Activist/Actor Ricardo Chavira

Calling for greater investment in cancer research
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure® delegation reminded Members that despite many advances and investments over the past 30 years, 40 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. Cancer will kill more than half a million people this year – about 1,500 a day. The activists called on Congress to provide a greater investment in cancer research, emphasizing early detection.

Cancer is not a partisan issue
“The energy and urgency around reinvigorating the crusade against cancer is palpable, and we are thrilled to be here on the Hill today talking about it,” Moddelmog said. “The U.S. cannot invigorate cutting edge science and maintain its status as the global leader in biomedical research without adequate funding. Cancer is not a partisan issue. It doesn’t discriminate based on party affiliation or race or gender.”

“My involvement with Susan G. Komen for the Cure is simple: I lost my mother to breast cancer, and I don’t want to see other children suffer the way my sisters and I did,” said Chavira, best known for his leading role on TV’s Desperate Housewives. “Today we shared our stories with some people who can make a difference. We’re asking Congress to up the ante, in the name of all mothers and their children.”

Ricardo Chavira and Rep. Charles Gonzalas (D-TX)	Ricardo Chavira and Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA)

Lobby Day precedes the annual 5K Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure®, which will be held in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, June 7, rain or shine. More than 50,000 participants from across the country, including 3,500 breast cancer survivors, will convene on the National Mall to lend their support – and feet – to help Susan G. Komen for the Cure® get one step closer to fulfilling its promise of ending breast cancer forever.