[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 127 (Friday, October 8, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S10837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PRAISING THE WORK OF CAROLE EDWARDS AND THE ONCOLOGY NURSING SOCIETY

 Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to Carole 
Edwards, RN, BSN, of Juneau, AK. Carole is the first recipient of the 
Oncology Nursing Society, ONS, Excellence in Oncology Nursing Health 
Policy and Advocacy Award. ONS established the award this year to 
acknowledge the efforts of the many oncology nurses who participate as 
state health policy liaisons and other members who are active in 
advocacy efforts.
  Cancer is a complex, multifaceted and chronic disease, and people 
with cancer are best served by a multidisciplinary health care team 
specialized in oncology care, including nurses who are certified in 
that specialty. This year alone, 1.3 million Americans will hear the 
words, ``You have cancer.'' In addition, 556,000 will lose their battle 
with this terrible disease. Every day, oncology nurses see the pain and 
suffering caused by cancer and understand the physical, emotional, and 
financial challenges that people with cancer face throughout their 
diagnosis and treatment. Oncology nurses play a central role in the 
provision of quality cancer care as they are principally involved in 
the administration and monitoring of chemotherapy and the associated 
side-effects patients may experience.
  The Oncology Nursing Society is the largest organization of oncology 
health professionals in the world, with more than 31,000 registered 
nurses and other health care professionals nationwide. Since 1975, the 
ONS has been dedicated to excellence in patient care, teaching, 
research, administration and education in the field of oncology. To 
that end, ONS honors and maintains an historical and essential 
commitment to advocacy for the public good by providing nurses and 
healthcare professionals with access to the highest quality educational 
programs, cancer-care resources, research opportunities and networks 
for peer support.
  On behalf of the people with cancer and their families in my home 
State of Alaska, I would like to acknowledge Carole Edwards and thank 
her and ONS for their ongoing commitment to improving and assuring 
access to quality cancer care for all cancer patients and their 
families. Through Carole's and ONS's leadership, our Nation is charting 
a course that will help us win the war on cancer. I urge my colleagues 
to support them in their important endeavors.

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