NEW YORK, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The following are remarks by Elisabeth
Hasselbeck on Breast Cancer as prepared for delivery at the 2004 Republican
National Convention on Tuesday, August 31:
Thank you.
It is an honor to be with you tonight.
In a distant land, heroic men and women are risking their lives fighting
for our freedom, our families, and our future -- and I deeply thank them, and
their families, for their service.
On American soil, heroic women are fighting a different battle - a silent
campaign for their freedom, their families, and their future. It is the fight
against breast cancer.
Nine years ago my mother was diagnosed with bilateral ductal carcinoma - a
serious form of breast cancer that moved to her lymph system. I watched her
suffer through massive surgery, and then four rapid-fire, high-intensity
chemotherapy treatments designed to bring her body to the brink of death. My
mother, an independent woman, a tower of strength, an attorney, was brought to
her knees. I will never forget, how strongly she held her head, though it
didn't have a strand of hair on it, and how she stared down this enemy of
cancer through her lash-less eyes, never letting it get the best of her.
My mother, her sister, and both of my grandmothers all have faced, fought, and
found victory in the battle against breast cancer.
I wish no one would get this disease -- but the reality is that 1 in every
8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime -- 200,000 this year
alone, making it the second leading cause of death among women. But wishes
alone won't make this disease go away. Wishes need action. Fortunately, we
have someone at the highest level fighting for a cure. A leader of action,
who sees breast cancer not only as a woman's issue, but as a family issue, a
human issue -- our nation's issue. President George W. Bush.
America is focusing more resources on prevention, early detection, and
aggressive research into new treatments and therapies. The President is
proposing nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars to assist researchers.
And we are conducting the largest test of early-detection technologies in
American history. Breast cancer does not discriminate.
It spares no kind spirit, no beautiful face, no compassionate heart. It
doesn't care about your age or race or if you can afford to pay the medical
bills -- we certainly couldn't.
That's why President Bush is increasing funding by over 20% to provide
screening services for disadvantaged women -- many who will have access to
life-saving technologies for the first time.
Mothers and daughters, wives and sisters, Kathy Goldberg, Kathleen
Filarski, Mary DelPadre, Doreen Labonge, Rene Fenton, and my mother, Elizabeth
Del Padre just a few of the foot-soldiers in this combat. Quite possibly,
breast cancer has knocked on the door, or will break down the door, of the
woman sitting beside you tonight.
Our weapons are awareness, research, and funding. Their medals of honor
are pink ribbons. And our leader is President George W. Bush. Everyone can
do something.
Perform self-breast-examinations, get clinical tests and annual
mammograms. Donate to research, run in a race for the cure, join a three-day
walk, or sponsor someone who does.
Most importantly, help me re-elect a leader in the fight against breast
cancer who does not simply wish this disease away -- he wills it away through
action.
President George W. Bush.
Paid for by the Committee on Arrangements for the
2004 Republican National Convention
2 Penn Plaza * New York, NY 10121 * (212) 356-2004
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee
SOURCE 2004 Republican National Convention
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.gopconvention.com
CONTACT:
Convention Communications, +1-212-356-2300
|
