WELCOME

TO OUR NEWEST EXECUTIVE COUNCIL LEADERS!

Charlie Capito, married to Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, has been touched personally by cancer in his family. As a member of the Congressional Families Program, he has participated in seminars and has used his platform to record a “Congressional Families: Voices for Cancer Prevention” video for Lung Cancer Awareness Month. He is passionate about increasing lung cancer screening rates in his home state, which has one of the highest lung cancer rates in the country.

Martha McKenzie Hill, married to Rep. French Hill of Arkansas, has been active in her community promoting cancer prevention and early detection through the Congressional Families Program and other outlets. Martha serves on the Advisory Board of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences—the state’s only academic medical center—which is seeking National Cancer Institute designation. She is a fierce advocate for providing access to cutting-edge care to all Arkansans, particularly in rural and medically underserved communities.

Mary Himes, married to Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, became more involved with the Congressional Families Program following her own breast cancer diagnosis in June 2021. Mary has used her platform to write op-eds, participate in a TV interview and record a “Congressional Families: Voices for Cancer Prevention” video sharing her story. She is focused on promoting key prevention and early detection methods, including encouraging annual mammograms and monthly self-exams for women of screening age. Mary is also creating art workshops for women and children undergoing cancer treatments to provide a positive outlet for them as art did for her during her own treatments.

Dr. Marcia Latta, married to Rep. Bob Latta of Ohio, lost a dear friend from college to breast cancer and has passionately used her platform to raise awareness to educate the public. Recently retired as Vice President for University Advancement at University of Findlay, Marcia has four decades of experience leading fundraising teams, and as a presenter and writer on issues of major gift fundraising, volunteer management and board governance.

Monica Ruiz, married to Rep. Raul Ruiz of California, brings with her valuable firsthand experience as a health care professional. Monica worked as an emergency room nurse with her husband, who was an ER physician in their Coachella Valley district before coming to Congress. They are a true partnership, devoted to accessible, affordable health care for all.

This year, we also welcomed 79 spouses of sitting Members of Congress to our Advisory Committee, which is now composed of 184 current spouses. Thank you to our new and returning members for your support! If you’d like to add your name to the committee, email Lisa at Lisa.McGovern@preventcancer.org. Learn more about the Prevent Cancer Foundation's new campaign at www. preventcancer.org/ betteroutcomes.

MAKING AN IMPACT THROUGH RESEARCH: Srividya Swaminathan, Ph.D., receives 2023 Congressional Families Program Research Grant in memory of The Honorable Vic Fazio

The Congressional Families Program: Tribute to The Honorable Vic Fazio research grant was awarded in honor of the late Congressman Victor “Vic” Fazio, who died in 2022 of melanoma. Former Rep. Fazio served on the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s board of directors from 2015 to 2022. Below, learn more about this important research that our Program is helping to support.

Project Title And Institution

Targeting the Long Isoform of the Prolactin Receptor to Prevent B-Lymphomas, by Dr. Swaminathan, Assistant Professor of Systems Biology at Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, Calif.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Each year, many children and adults are diagnosed with deadly forms of blood cancer of a type of immune cell known as the B cell. These cancers are particularly difficult and expensive to treat. There is an unmet clinical need in prevention and early diagnosis of B-cell malignancies, especially in people vulnerable to developing these dreadful cancers.

The Goal And Practical Impact

B-cell blood cancers (lymphoma and leukemia) are currently being treated with harsh chemotherapies and/or expensive immunotherapies. Despite being effective, such therapies diminish the quality of life of the patient. Prevention of B-cell malignancies using affordable strategies is key. Patients with B-cell autoimmune diseases and less aggressive forms of lymphoma are at high risk of developing aggressive, hard-to-treat, diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. The goal is to develop an affordable and safe approach that prevents the development of this devastating type of cancer.

Read about awarded researchers and the impact of the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s research program at www.preventcancer.org/research.

Congressional Families Hosts Better Outcomes Social Media Day

On February 24, the Congressional Families Program hosted a tweetstorm to call attention to the importance of early detection. Members of Congress, congressional spouses and other Prevent Cancer Foundation stakeholders were invited to share one of the provided social media posts with their followers. Thank you to the following members and spouses for helping us spread this vital message.

◗ Sen. Sherrod Brown – Ohio

◗ Rep. Salud Carbajal – Calif.

◗ Rep. Buddy Carter – Ga.

◗ Rep. Yvette Clarke – N.Y.

◗ Rep. Emanuel Cleaver – Mo.

◗ Rep. Jasmine Crockett – Texas

◗ Rep. Mark DeSaulnier – Calif.

◗ Rep. Debbie Dingell – Mich.

◗ Sen. Dianne Feinstein – Calif.

◗ Rep. Michelle Fischbach – Minn.

◗ Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick – Pa.

◗ Rep. John Garamendi – Calif.

◗ Rep. Jimmy Gomez – Calif.

◗ Rep. Brian Higgins – N.J.

◗ Martha McKenzie Hill – Ark.

◗ Susan Huffman – Calif.

◗ Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith – Miss.

◗ Rep. Bill Johnson – Ohio

◗ Rep. John Joyce – Pa.

◗ Rep. Dan Kildee – Mich.

◗ Rep. Derek Kilmer – Wash.

◗ Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi – Ill.

◗ Rep. Nick LaLota – N.Y.

◗ Rep. Mike Levin – Calif.

◗ Rep. Doris Matsui – Calif.

◗ Rep. Jim McGovern – Mass.

◗ Rep. Kweisi Mfume – Md.

◗ Rep. Ayanna Pressley – Mass.

◗ Rep. Brad Schneider – Ill.

◗ Rep. Terri Sewell – Ala.

◗ Leslie Small – Ga.

◗ Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz – Fla.

◗ Rep. Frederica Wilson – Fla.