[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 10 (Thursday, January 16, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E87-E88]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   ``DO IT FOR YOUR DAUGHTER'' BREAST CANCER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN GROWS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 16, 2014

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend 
Michelle Coyoti-Varela, Joyce Falotico, Morgan Fuerbacher, Jacqueline 
Hennessy, Adriana Poznanski, and Francesca Poznanski of Girl Scout 
Troop 1701 of Middletown, New Jersey for their breast cancer prevention 
and awareness campaign. Their national initiative, ``Do It For Your 
Daughter,'' encourages moms to get mammograms so as to ensure and 
promote early detection, and if necessary, effective treatment.
   The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2013 alone, 232,340 
Americans were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 39,620 died as a 
result. Roughly one in eight American women will be diagnosed with 
breast cancer sometime in their lifetime. For them and their loved 
ones, research and treatment provide hope as they fight the disease. 
Many survivors and their families commit to awareness campaigns as an 
opportunity to save lives and help others going forward.
   Each of one of these extraordinarily bright and articulate girls has 
had their life touched by someone who has had breast cancer. They 
realized this common thread during their Troop Health Walk while 
discussing what they could accomplish as a troop--and how they could 
change the world for the better. Through research and meetings with 
health experts,

[[Page E88]]

they learned that early detection can be key to survival. When breast 
cancer is detected at the localized stage--confined to the primary 
site--the five year relative survival rate is 98.6%. As the stage of 
the cancer progresses, the relative survival rate drops.
   This knowledge led the girls to film a public service announcement 
(PSA) urging mothers everywhere to have mammograms done--if not for 
themselves, for their daughters. The PSA has played for several months 
on several TV channels, and the girls have appeared on shows like Good 
Day New York to spread their message. Through their campaign, the girls 
of Troop 1701 are educating us all--men and women--about the importance 
of early detection.
   I hosted the girls in my office after they reached out to me about 
the project. Let me tell you, these are impressive young citizens. They 
are incredibly passionate and smart, and they truly are making a 
difference, both in our home state of New Jersey and across the county. 
The girls have already heard from dozens of mothers--and others--who 
have scheduled their mammograms after seeing the PSA. A number of 
organizations, both national and local--the American Cancer Society and 
Meridian Health of New Jersey, to name a couple--have joined the girls 
on the initiative.
   The girls have implemented their campaign in a number of creative 
ways. They held the inaugural ``Jam for the Exam'' Health Fair at their 
school, attracting 400 attendees who were able to meet with health 
professionals and learn valuable health tips. It was there that they 
launched their ``Pinkie Promise'' campaign, having mothers sign a 
banner, making a pinkie promise to their daughters that they will get 
their mammograms done.
   The girls were recently honored at the annual Girl Scouts delegate 
meeting where--after presenting their PSA and receiving a standing 
ovation--they received their Bronze Award in front of the New Jersey 
Delegates. It is the highest honor a Junior Girl Scout can achieve. As 
a fellow scout--a boy scout and Eagle Scout--I know that these girls 
exemplify the scout traits of courage, confidence, character, and 
citizenship.
   This coming March, the girls will receive a further honor when they 
receive The Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore's first-ever Junior Women 
of Distinction Award. The Woman of Distinction Award was traditionally 
reserved for adult women in the state and local community for making a 
positive impact.
   The award is certainly well deserved, and these girls are just 
getting started. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
thanking the girls of Girl Scout Troop 1701--Michelle Coyoti-Varela, 
Joyce Falotico, Morgan Fuerbacher, Jacqueline Hennessy, Adriana 
Poznanski, and Francesca Poznanski--for their truly impressive efforts 
in the fight against breast cancer. They are an inspiration to us all.

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