Cancer Research Foundation Of America's Congressional Families Action For Cancer Awareness Program Will Honor Katie Couric, Debbie Dingell And Dr. Richard Hirsh

Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation
Thursday, 23 September 1999

WASHINGTON, DC – The Cancer Research Foundation of America's Congressional Families Action for Cancer Awareness program, a bipartisan outreach effort designed to educate the public about cancer prevention and early detection, will honor Katie Couric, Debbie Dingell and Dr. Richard Hirsh at its seventh annual awards luncheon to be held on September 23rd in the Senate Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office Building.

Former New York Congresswoman Susan Molinari will serve as mistress of ceremonies. Special remarks to honor cancer survivors will be delivered by U.S. Representative Billy Tauzin (R-3-LA)

Each year, Congressional Families honors individuals who demonstrate an ongoing commitment towards the program's mission. This year's honorees are:

Katie Couric – Since losing her husband Jay Monahan to colorectal cancer in January of 1988, Katie Couric has taken her personal loss and turned it into a positive action by educating others about screening and prevention. She has recently launched her own organization to spread the message of early detection in hopes of breaking down taboos and embarrassment about colorectal cancer.

Debbie Dingell – As vice chair of the Barbara Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit, Debbie Dingell has been a tireless advocate for cancer treatment and care. She has also been critical to the success of the Susan G. Komen Foundation's "Women Celebrating Life" annual luncheon that celebrates breast cancer survivors as models of courage with a very healthy respect for life.

Dr. Richard Hirsh – Chief of Akron City Hospital's Division of Diagnostic Radiology since 1988, Dr. Hirsh founded Radiology Mammography International in 1996. The organization is a nonprofit whose mission is to help meet the mammography and radiology equipment and educational needs of developing countries.

Congressional Families Action for Cancer Awareness led by Linda Bachus (AL-6) is a bipartisan outreach effort designed to educate the public about cancer prevention and early detection. Congressional spouses work in their respective states and home districts throughout the year to focus constituents' attention on the importance of cancer awareness and early detection. The initiative began in 1991 as a partnership between the Congressional Club and the Cancer Research Foundation of America (CRFA).

The Cancer Research Foundation of America was founded in 1985 by Carolyn Aldigé in memory of her father, who died of cancer the previous year. The Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention of cancer through scientific research and education. The organization's commitment is fueled by the fact that as much as 70 percent of certain cancers may be preventable through lifestyle changes, yet more than 550,000 Americans die of cancer-related deaths annually.

For more information, or to contact Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, see their website at: www.preventcancer.org