Providence, RI – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse met with Rhode Island advocates, breast cancer survivors, and health care providers at Rhode Island Hospital to discuss his recently introduced legislation, the Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act (S.3237). Senator Whitehouse introduced the legislation earlier this year.
At the roundtable event, Rhode Islanders had the opportunity to share their stories with the Senator, and express support for the legislation. They also discussed how the new legislation will contribute to the ultimate goal of ending breast cancer, and what other legislative efforts can be made to further that goal.
“It is inspiring to meet with Rhode Islanders who are so incredibly dedicated to ending breast cancer once and for all,” said Whitehouse. “I thank each of the roundtable participants for sharing their moving experiences with me today, and for their advocacy to promote promising new methods for combating this terrible disease.”
“The Rhode Island Breast Cancer Coalition was pleased to meet with Senator Whitehouse to reiterate our support for S. 3237,” said Marlene McCarthy of the Rhode Island Breast Cancer Coalition. “This legislation creates a Commission tasked with identifying promising opportunities, tools, technology and ideas not currently being prioritized for breast cancer by the public and private sectors, but which, taken together and applied to this issue hold true promise in ending breast cancer. It is a critical component of the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s strategy to end breast cancer by January 1, 2020.”
The Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act was introduced in the Senate on May 25, 2012. The legislation would establish a Commission to Accelerate the End of Breast Cancer, which will work to identify promising research, encourage partnerships between the government and the private sector, and create opportunities for trans-disciplinary collaboration to advance the mission of ending breast cancer by 2020.
###
