Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program®
FALL/ WINTER 2023
ACTIONS
WWW.CONGRESSIONALFAMILIES.ORG
2023 AWARDS SHOWCASE BIPARTISANSHIP IN CANCER PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION “Cancer doesn’t discriminate along the lines of race, ethnicity, gender, social class, income, wealth, you name it…we’re all on the same side, trying to get everyone through it.” Those were the words of Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, one of four honorees at the 30th Annual Action for Cancer Awareness Awards luncheon held on September 14 at the Library of Congress. This year’s event honored “TODAY’s” beloved Al Roker for Distinguished Service in Journalism; accomplished congressional spouses Patricia Garamendi (married to Rep. John Garamendi of California) and Martha McKenzie Hill (married to Rep. French Hill of Arkansas) for Congressional Families Leadership; Rep. Raskin was honored with a Special Recognition Award with a bipartisan presentation by former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, who also publicly battled cancer shortly after his election in 2015. Fox News Chief National Correspondent and Prevent Cancer Foundation® board member Jennifer Griffin served as the master of ceremonies. A survivor of triple negative breast cancer, Jennifer was honored at the annual luncheon in 2012 for Distinguished Service in Journalism.
1st row (L to R): Patricia Garamendi (Calif.), Al Roker, Martha Hill (Ark.) 2nd row (L to R): Jody Hoyos, Prevent Cancer Foundation President/CEO and Lisa McGovern, Congressional Families Program Executive Director
The Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program’s signature event brings together Members of Congress, as well as congressional and Cabinet spouses, to recognize the contributions of those using their platforms to educate the public about cancer prevention and early detection. This year’s theme was “Early Detection = Better Outcomes,” in recognition of the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s rallying cry on the importance of routine cancer screenings to detect cancer early. Rep. Troy Carter of Louisiana and congressional spouses Gayle Wicker (married to Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi) and Dr. Janine Bera, (married to Rep. Ami Bera of California) joined Governor Hogan in presenting awards to the honorees. In addition to remarks from the honorees, Program Executive Director Lisa McGovern and Prevent Cancer Foundation CEO Jody Hoyos gave remarks. Rep. Raskin, who has battled both stage III colon cancer and more recently a rare form of lymphoma, spoke with his characteristic humor and grace about his cancer journey and the importance of every member of his care team, including nurses, doctors and pharmacists. (continued on page 3)
L to R: Rep. Jamie Raskin (Md.), former Governor Larry Hogan
INSIDE
CONGRESSIONAL FAMILIES ON THE ROAD: CONQUERING CERVICAL CANCER IN KENYA 4 BREAST DENSITY AND CANCER 4 PROMOTING PREVENTION AT THE YMCA 5