[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 197 (Tuesday, December 20, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ANN MARIE BUERKLE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 20, 2011

  Ms. BUERKLE. Mr. Speaker, the National Institute of Health estimates 
that over 15,000 American Women will die from ovarian cancer and an 
additional 22,000 new women will be diagnosed with the disease this 
year alone. Each year, ovarian cancer is a heartbreaking tragedy and a 
threat to the lives of thousands of women.
  To that end, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize the remarkable inspiration of one mother who is taking up her 
daughter's passionate fight against ovarian cancer. In my district of 
New York, Frieda Weeks has dedicated her efforts to promoting research, 
awareness, and community support through ``Hope for Heather.''
  ``Hope for Heather'' is a not-for-profit organization in memory of 
Heather Weeks, who lost her life to cancer at age 24. Heather was an 
advocate for women's cancer awareness, who was committed to educating 
all women on the symptoms of ovarian cancer and raising funds to find a 
cure.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in raising 
awareness of ovarian cancer, and today I honor Heather, whose dream 
remains alive and strong today within the central New York community.

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