10-R195

2010 -- H 8059

Enacted 04/28/10

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MAY 3RD THROUGH MAY 10TH AS "PINK SPIRIT WEEK" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Kilmartin, Naughton, Slater, Diaz, and Giannini

Date Introduced: April 27, 2010

WHEREAS, Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women. In

the United States, one in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in her lifetime. In

Rhode Island, women are even more likely to develop the disease; and 

     WHEREAS, The breast cancer incidence rate in Rhode Island in 2009 was 130.7 per

100,000 women, compared to the rate of 128.2 per 100,000 women in the United States. The

breast cancer mortality rate in Rhode Island in 2009 was 25 per 100,000 women, compared to the

United States rate of 26 per 100,000 women; and

     WHEREAS, Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Rhode Island

women and the 2nd leading cause of cancer death, but if detected early, the five-year survival rate

is greater that 90 percent; and  

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Cancer Council (RI CAN), established in 1999, is a

community action program whose mission is to help lower cancer's toll in Rhode Island. With

support from the Rhode Island Breast Cancer Coalition, the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer

Research Foundation, and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, RI CAN launched the first annual "Pink

Spirit Week" in 2007; and

     WHEREAS, Before the Cancer Council’s inception, Rhode Island had the highest

incidence of breast cancer and was among those states with the highest mortality rates. After ten

years of public and professional education provided by the Council, our state’s rankings have

improved dramatically; and  

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Cancer Council has helped thousands of Rhode Islanders

to find the vital resources to deal with their disease, and to learn what can be done to prevent and

detect cancer early; and  

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Cancer Council achieves its mission by providing free

programs in Public Education, Education, and Public Information; and

     WHEREAS, During the week of May 3rd through May 10th, 2010, The Rhode Island

Cancer Council will be hosting their third annual “Pink Spirit Week”; and

     WHEREAS, “Pink Spirit Week” will improve education and awareness to Rhode Island

High Schools and through education, community service, and spirit initiatives; and  

     WHEREAS, Last year over 8,000 students from 13 high schools across the state learned

about breast cancer and helped spread awareness. This year RI CAN hopes to reach and educate

many more students across Rhode Island; now, therefore be it  

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims May 3rd through May 10th, 2010, as “Pink Spirit Week”

in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further 

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Executive Director of The Rhode Island

Cancer Council, Inc.

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LC02496

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