Advocates Bring Community Perspective to Global Summit on Breast Cancer

Ambassador Karen Hughes Underscores One Person's Power to Make a Difference

BUDAPEST - September 30, 2007 - Ambassador Karen Hughes, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs for the U.S. Department of State, addressed more than 50 advocates from five continents at Susan G. Komen for the Cure's Ignite the Promise: Global Advocate Summit. She was joined by presenters from India, Italy, Kenya and Malaysia who spoke about breast cancer advocacy, education, healthcare providers and fundraising.

"What you do here matters and has a ripple effect across the world," said Ambassador Hughes. "Each of you has the power to make a difference for the next generation."

"Why do we advocate?" asked Malaysian delegate Ranjit Kaur, president of the Breast Cancer Welfare Association and the Malaysian Breast Cancer Council. "Because we see inadequacy, inequity and injustice. We see gaps in the system and fight for what we believe."

Kaur went on to discuss how advocates throughout the world lead the charge to break away from complacency and strive for a new normalcy.

Indian delegate Rama Sivaram, Ph.D., director of Outreach and Counsel for the Prashanti Cancer Care Mission, discussed how she and her colleagues established affordable, integrated approaches to breast cancer treatment, as well as alternative treatments in Pune, India.

"It is crucial to educate the community," said Sivaram. "We must bust some of the myths about this disease-such as cancer is contagious or god is punishing you-so that women can express themselves and their health needs."

Delegates discuss breast cancer and the effects on the global healthcare system
Each speaker underscored the fact that the impact of breast cancer on the global healthcare system is only beginning to be understood.

"By 2020, 70 percent of all cases of breast cancer will occur in developing countries," said Riccardo Masetti, M.D., director of the Breast Surgical Unit at Catholic University in Rome and founder and president of Komen Italia. "And 70 percent of those with breast cancer will receive a late-stage diagnosis-stage III or greater."

Kenyan delegate Mary Onyango concluded the presentations with the importance of global fundraising challenges. "Until breast cancer becomes a political priority we will not have the funds needed to address the growing healthcare needs," said Onyango. "We advocates are taking the lead to ensure that it becomes a priority on national health agendas."

Delegates participated in small discussion groups to share their strategies to initiate advocacy, establish early detection programs, and generate funds to support awareness, training and treatment. Implementation challenges vary greatly from country to country; however, sharing lessons learned can help tremendously.

"By matching an advocacy agenda to each country's resources, we can achieve our individual and international objectives in our fight against breast cancer," said Cheryl Jernigan, Susan G. Komen for the Cure Board member and U.S. delegate from Kansas City, Missouri.

Nearly 5,000 participate in sixth annual Bridge Alliance Walk
The delegates capped off a successful weekend by participating in the sixth annual Bridge Alliance Walk across the world-renowned Chain Bridge, crossing the Danube River connecting Buda and Pest. Ambassador Nancy Brinker initiated the walk for breast cancer awareness during her term as U.S. Ambassador to Hungary in 2002, illuminating the bridge in pink lights. This year's walk drew nearly 5,000 participants to support breast cancer awareness.

Read more about the Global Advocate Summit.
Get an insider's perspective of the Summit in real time through our blog.