* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Holton
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL concerning
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In Support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
FOR the purpose of celebrating 25 years of awareness, education, and empowerment given the nation by the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month organization, supporting the efforts of the Baltimore City Health Department to combat the disease, and encouraging Baltimore City residents to increase their knowledge concerning the causes, prevention, and treatment of breast cancer; and providing for a special effective date.
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Recitals
In 2009, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM), a partnership of national public services organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies working together to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease, and provide greater access to screening services, celebrates its 25th anniversary.
The organization has been in the forefront of promoting awareness of breast cancer issues and has evolved along with the national dialogue on breast cancer, but its membership recognizes that despite the great strides made in breast cancer awareness and treatment, there remains much to be accomplished.
While October is recognized as National Breast Cancer Awareness month, NBCAM and healthcare professionals encourage women to seek empowerment throughout the year through education, regular self-breast examination, regular visits and annual mammograms, adhering to prescribed treatment, and knowing the facts about recurrence.
In kicking-off Baltimore City's celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Mayor, joined by the Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For The Cure, announced several initiatives, including a state-wide substantive breast cancer awareness action plan, a symbolic pink lighting of the City Hall dome, and the display of a pink ribbon on the War Memorial Plaza.
This year's Komen Maryland Community Profile is a 10-month study to evaluate the state of breast cancer in their service area, which includes all of Maryland except for Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. The profile revealed that Maryland is ranked fifth in the nation for cancer death rates. And while women in Maryland are not diagnosed with the disease any more frequently than the national average, they are dying from breast cancer at higher rates.
This year alone an estimated 810 women in Maryland will die from death cancer. Baltimore City ranks third in the State for breast cancer mortality rates among women of all ages and races. In the City a total average of 163 women die of breast cancer each year.
African American women in the State and City do not have as high an incidence of breast cancer as white women, but have a higher death rate because of delay in diagnosis and treatment. Komen Maryland has developed an action plan to address hard-hit areas to increase breast cancer awareness and to stress the importance of early detection and screening in African American communities.
As stated by the Mayor: "The cancer rates affecting women in Baltimore is unacceptable. These women are our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, our aunts, our friends, our neighbors, and our co-workers. They are dying of a disease that can be treated effectively if detected early enough. We must do everything in our power to improve our education, outreach, and prevention to save lives."
SECTION 1. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body celebrates the 25 years of awareness, education, and empowerment given the nation by the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month organization, supports the efforts of the Baltimore City Health Department to combat the disease, and encourages Baltimore City residents to increase their knowledge concerning the causes, prevention, and treatment of breast cancer; and providing for a special effective date.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Executive Director of Komen Maryland, the Baltimore City Health Commissioner, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this Resolution takes effect on the date it is enacted.
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