Patty Murray: “I am proud to be here again this year, joining my colleagues in the Senate to talk about the National Race for the Cure.…”

“I am proud to be here again this year, joining my colleagues in the Senate to talk about the National Race for the Cure. This important event underscores the critical need to raise awareness about breast cancer, and the need to support research and education about this frightening disease. We have heard the numbers and seen the statistics. Each year breast cancer strikes 184,000 women, and kills an estimated 45,000. Far too many have died from this disease, and the list includes many of my own friends and relatives. We all can agree that more must be done to educate women about the risks, prevention, and treatment of breast cancer. I can tell you that, as a woman, the mixed messages we receive are frustrating and dangerous. We hear conflicting advice about when to have a mammogram--one year it's at age 40 then next it's at age 50--we need consistent, accurate information or else women will continue to die. Studies show that early detection and proper treatment could save the lives of 9 out of 10 women with breast cancer--that's 90 percent, Mr. President. These numbers are too serious to ignore. We must do all we can to encourage education and awareness about how we can protect ourselves and our daughters from the tragedy of breast cancer. For this reason, the Race for the Cure is so very important; the D.C. race is the largest 5-kilometer race in the country--35,000 participants are expected to run, walk, and roller blade this year.”