Recognizing October 2017 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia and honoring Susan G. Komen Philadelphia for its charitable work in the field of breast cancer research and education.

WHEREAS, Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer among women, and had the second highest rate of incidence in cancer-related deaths. According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 12.4% of American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetimes, meaning that one out of every eight women will be affected by the disease. National data from 2014 indicate that more than 3.3 million women are currently living with the disease, while it is estimated that an additional 250,000 will be diagnosed during 2017; and

WHEREAS, Susan G. Komen Philadelphia is our City’s chapter of the national breast cancer foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which since 1982 has been dedicated to raising awareness for the disease, advancing the search for its cure, and providing support and services to those who have been diagnosed. For the last 27 years, Komen for the Cure has organized its annual ‘Race for the Cure’ in order to collect donations and foster a sense of community among breast cancer patients, survivors, and their families; and

WHEREAS, Susan G. Komen Philadelphia contributes 25% of its net funds to support the Komen Grant Program, helping scientists discover solutions and develop more effective treatments so that, one day, every person diagnosed with breast cancer will be assured to survive it. As a testament to the dedication of the organization and its supporters, Komen for the Cure has raised more than $920 million for clinical breast cancer research; and

WHEREAS, Acknowledging that increased education is central to this goal, Susan G. Komen for the Cure is actively involved with educational programs related to treatment and screening for the disease, and has invested more than $2 billion in community outreach programs over the last 30 years. This funding has helped to support more than 70 organizations in the Philadelphia area, many of which aim to provide educational outreach to low income neighborhoods and communities of color in order to help address the disparities in access to health care that continue to trouble our City; and

WHEREAS, Over the past 30 years, breast cancer mortality rates have decreased by over 35%, and this decline is due largely to the availability of new and improved breast cancer treatments and the development of more robust early-detection methods. These scientific advancements are signs of major progress in the field of cancer treatment and stand as testaments to the tireless work of the advocacy community; and

WHEREAS, October is recognized nationally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and, to mark this month, patients, survivors, healthcare providers and other advocates from around the City will host a variety of events focused on raising funds, improving health and fitness, and increasing awareness of our collective efforts to find a cure for this disease; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia and honors Susan G. Komen Philadelphia for its charitable work in the field of breast cancer research and education.

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