[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 139 (Thursday, October 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2188]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN RECOGNITION OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 26, 2005

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Breast 
Cancer Awareness Month and the brave survivors of this disease. The 
statistics for breast cancer are staggering. One out of every eight 
women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 
their lifetime, and 1 out of every 229 women in their 30s will be 
affected by the disease at some point in their lives. The unfortunate 
truth behind these numbers is that there is a limited amount of 
information available on women under 35 with breast cancer. The general 
sentiment is that women in their 20s and 30s are too young to contract 
the illness, but the reality is that women of this age are not immune.
  Four young women have shared their stories of survival with each 
other as part of a support group called Nordie's at Noon, and they 
recently published a book of the same name documenting their stories. 
These women were in the first stages of their lives when they were 
diagnosed with breast cancer, and their stories, although different, 
are bound together by a common challenge. These courageous women are 
Patti Balwanz, Kim Carlos, Jennifer Johnson, and Jana Peters.
  Patti Balwanz fought a long and brave battle against breast cancer. 
She was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 24, while working as 
an IT consultant. Her cancer metastasized to her bones, lungs and 
liver, but she used her experience to educate women about the disease. 
Patti stayed active in breast cancer awareness outlets during her 
treatment by serving as a Board Officer of the Ribbons of Pink 
Foundation and being honored with the foundation's ``You Are an 
Inspiration'' award. Patti also continued her education by receiving a 
Bachelor of Arts degree trom Southwest Missouri State University and 
remaining active in the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority. Until her death in 
2003, Patti continued to educate women about breast cancer while 
bravely facing her own fight.
  Kim Carlos was diagnosed with breast cancer during the planning of 
her son's second birthday party. After three years of extensive 
treatment including eight rounds of chemotherapy, a mastectomy with 
breast reconstruction, and treatments for lymphedema, Kim is now 
cancer-free. Currently Kim serves as President of the Board for the 
Greater Kansas City Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 
Foundation, and she was recently selected to serve on the Komen 
National Public Policy Council. Kim is also a member of the American 
Cancer Society State Advocacy Committee. She has been honored by 
Lifetime Television and SELF Magazine for her efforts in educating 
women about breast cancer. Kim now focuses on advocacy full-time with 
her business, K.C. Consulting, where her focus is governmental and 
public relations and grassroots avocacy.
  While five months pregnant with her first child, Jennifer Johnson was 
diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 27. Her treatment involved 
chemotherapy and a mastectomy during her pregnancy. Jennifer completed 
her final chemotherapy treatment in 2000, and the next day delivered a 
healthy baby boy, Parker Matthew. Three years later, Jennifer had a 
daughter, Emma Grace, and she has been cancer-free for six years. 
Jennifer is active in several breast cancer advocacy groups including 
the American Cancer Society, the Susan G. Komen Association, the 
Ribbons of Pink Foundation, and the Pregnant with Cancer organization.
  Jana Peters was 27 and engaged to be married when she received her 
breast cancer diagnosis. She has undergone several treatments since 
then including a mastectomy and chemotherapy. In 1999 Jana founded the 
Ribbons of Pink Foundation, a non-profit organization with the goal of 
promoting breast health and serving as a support for young breast 
cancer survivors. She is a member of the United Methodist Church of the 
Resurrection, and she is a volunteer for several breast cancer 
organizations and events. Jana continues her career in the clinical 
research industry in San Francisco, where she resides with her husband 
Chris.
  We celebrate these courageous women who have battled breast cancer 
and those who continue their fight against this illness. Breast cancer 
survivors and supporters gather to raise awareness and encourage the 
access of information for breast cancer in young women. Thank you to 
Patti, Kim, Jennifer and Jana for sharing their stories of bravery and 
determination.

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