Proclaiming October 3rd and 4th of 2009 as "Praise is the Cure Weekend" in Philadelphia.

The City Council of Philadelphia designates October 3rd and 4th of 2009 as “Praise is the Cure Weekend” in Philadelphia and encourages that all help those women and their families in managing their health and familiarizing themselves with cancer treatment options available to them.

WHEREAS

, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States; and

WHEREAS,

Sadly African American women are dying from this disease at higher rates than all other ethnic groups

;

and

WHEREAS

, The purpose of Praise is the Cure (PITC) is to educate underserved communities on the prevention and treatment options to help stop the spread of breast cancer, as well as celebrate and provide ongoing support to breast cancer survivors; and

WHEREAS

, PITC has evolved into a year-round campaign whose mission is to “Motivate, Educate and Encourage African American women to obtain screenings and treatments”; and

WHEREAS,

Since its inception, PITC has reached over 30,000 Philadelphia area residents and raised in excess of $100,000 to support year-round program outreach efforts

;

and

WHEREAS

, The capstone of the year round campaign is “Praise is the Cure Weekend,” which will be presented as a Weekend of Hope, Health & Healing on October 3-4, 2009 in Celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS

, The Weekend festivities will consist of a Health Fair, Breast Cancer Survivors' Pamper Party, Gospel Extravaganza benefit concert, Praise is the Cure Sunday and other activities; and

WHEREAS

, The Health Fair will be providing free mammograms and other health screenings, educational workshops, spa treatments and refreshments to area residents, with particular outreach to nearby homeless shelters; and

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA,

That October 3rd and 4th of 2009 be declared “Praise is the Cure Weekend” in Philadelphia and encourages that all help those women and their families in managing their health and familiarizing themselves with cancer treatment options available to them.

FURTHER RESOLVED,

That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Anita T. Conner, Founder and Chair or George E. Thorne Development Center, as further evidencing the sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body.

End