[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 19, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2273]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING SISTER'S JOURNEY AS THEY CELEBRATE THEIR 10TH ANNIVERSARY

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                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, the first of November will mark an 
important milestone for an outstanding organization in my community--
the 10th Anniversary of Sister's Journey. Founded by my dear friend, 
Linda White-Epps, as she coped with her own battle with breast cancer, 
Sister's Journey has been an invaluable source of comfort, compassion, 
and support for women diagnosed with this disease for the last decade.
  The diagnosis of breast cancer can be overwhelming--not only for the 
woman who has been told she has this battle to face but for her loved 
ones as well. It is important for women to know that they are not alone 
and that there are others who are facing comparable challenges, asking 
the same questions, and enduring similar hardships, physically and 
emotionally. That is what Sister's Journey is all about.
  In facing her battle with breast cancer, Linda White-Epps saw the 
need in her community for a group that could help women to heal 
physically, emotionally, and spiritually. She recognized the need for 
education and advocacy, for women to share the trials and tribulations 
of cancer, and to celebrate survivorship. What began as a monthly 
support group meeting has grown into a community educator and a strong 
voice of advocacy for early detection and quality treatment for every 
woman fighting breast cancer. But perhaps the organization's greatest 
contribution has been that of the Sister's Journey annual calendar. 
With each month comes the face and the story of a woman still facing 
breast cancer or who has survived--each page highlighting their 
personal journeys. The calendar has proven to be a tangible example of 
the encouragement, support, and vision that is Sister's Journey.
  Though Linda lost her battle in 2003, today her legacy--Sister's 
Journey--is carried on by her family; her mother Phyllis White, and her 
daughter, Dawn White-Bracey, who serves as its current President. Today 
as members gather for the annual Pink Tea, we celebrate the remarkable 
10 years this organization has been supporting those struggling with 
the ongoing challenges of breast cancer. I am proud to stand today to 
pay tribute to Sister's Journey and their decade of good work. We all 
hope for a time when breast cancer will no longer be a threat to our 
health, until then, our community could not be more fortunate than to 
have Sister's Journey for those in need.

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