Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation

EXCERPTS FROM REMARKS MADE AT ANNUAL MOTHER'S DAY MARCH VIRGINIA BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION SOUTH PORTICO STATE CAPITOL RICHMOND, VIRGINIA MAY 7, 1992 BY GOVERNOR L. DOUGLAS WILDER Thank you. The Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation continues to perform a vital public service, making women of the Commonwealth aware of the dangers of the most frequently-diagnosed form of cancer, and continuing their vital efforts to gain more funds for breast cancer research. Great strides have been made over the past decade in the area of breast cancer detection, but all women need to be aware of the fact that they are at risk at ANY age. Self-diagnosis and mammograms are vital for early detection. To help ensure that all women have access to mammograms, I proposed in January that the Commonwealth provide funds for these tests for low-income Virginia women. The General Assembly approved the measure this term, and it will go into effect on July 1. All of our society needs to make a greater effort, and a greater commitment, in the area of research and prevention. While our nation spends billions of dollars a year dealing with the effects of various forms of cancer, we have not done enough to find cures and treatments. And the top priority of cancer research must be breast cancer — if for no other reason than because a majority of our population is at risk. The Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation continues to fight for a $433 million appropriation for breast cancer research from the U.S. Congress, and our elected representatives should listen to their constituents and put their health care dollars where they can have the most benefit. I congratulate the VBCF for staging this successful event, and look forward to lending whatever support that is possible in the future to help wipe out this most insidious form of cancer. Thank you.