09-R216

2009 -- H 6166

Enacted 04/30/09

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

PROCLAIMING MAY 4TH THROUGH MAY 11TH AS "PINK SPIRIT WEEK" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Kilmartin, Naughton, E Coderre, McNamara, and Loughlin

Date Introduced: April 30, 2009

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. Also, it is one of the leading

causes of cancer-related deaths among women, second only to lung cancer; and 

     WHEREAS, The breast cancer incidence rate in Rhode Island is 130.7 per 100,000

women, compared to the 128.2 per 100,000 for women in the United States. Although Rhode

Island has a higher incidence rate than the national average, Rhode Island is ranked 15th in the

nation; and  

     WHEREAS, The breast cancer mortality rate in Rhode Island is 25 per 100,000 women,

compared to the United States rate of 26 per 100,000 women. Rhode Island is ranked 31st in the

nation.  

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

women and the 2nd leading cause of cancer death; and  

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Cancer Council, established in 1999, is a community

action program whose mission is to help lower cancer's toll in Rhode Island; and

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

incidence of breast cancer and was in the top ten for mortality rate. 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 thousand of Rhode Islanders

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

cancer and ways to detect it 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 4th through May 11th, 2009, The Rhode Island

Cancer Council will be hosting their second 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; now, therefore be it  

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

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims May 4th through May 11th, 2009 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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LC02533

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