WASSERMAN SCHULTZ MARKS 2014 BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), a breast cancer survivor, released the following statement today in recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month:

“Each October, millions of breast cancer survivors and their families take extra time to celebrate their own successful fight against the disease and recommit to the advocacy, fundraising and outreach necessary to reach more people and save more lives. For some, October is also a time to honor the memory of our sisters and brothers who lost their fight, but in whose names we keep walking, keep running, keep striving and keep dreaming for a cure.

“This October, my family and I are celebrating an important milestone of my own: five-plus years cancer free. Each day that goes by, I am incredibly thankful that I have my health and eternally grateful for the family, friends, colleagues, health professionals and advocates who supported me and strengthened me in my battle.

“Also celebrating a five year milestone is the Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act, or the EARLY Act. I wrote this law after recovering from my own battle, so that young women could better understand their risks and access additional tools and resources to detect, fight, and survive. The bill became law as part of the Affordable Care Act, and it is currently up for its five-year reauthorization. With my Republican co-sponsor, Rep. Renee Ellmers and strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, I am hopeful the EARLY Act will be reauthorized in the lame duck session.

“Looking forward, I am working on additional legislation that will support the unique needs of young cancer survivors. We must ensure that the young men and women who will live the rest of their lives as survivors have the access and resources they need to not only survive, but thrive.

“The onset of each October reinforces what we know with renewed vigilance will hold true: that we are closer than ever to a cure, and that the possibility of a future free of breast cancer deaths is within our reach.”