[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 170 (Friday, October 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1404-E1405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           OCTOBER IS NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 12, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, October is National Breast Cancer 
Awareness Month. This month is devoted to raising awareness and 
educating folks about breast cancer and honoring the thousands of women 
across our nation who have been diagnosed, fighting, or have survived 
breast cancer.
  Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United 
States. It is the second deadliest cancer among American women. 1 in 8 
women will develop breast cancer over the course of her lifetime, and 
it is estimated that this year more than 252,000 cases of invasive 
breast cancer is expected to be reported. In Texas, 17,566 women were 
diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018.
  In the Second District of Texas, I am proud of our local hospitals, 
school districts, and non-profits who promote breast cancer awareness 
and prevention during this month. Many are showing their support by 
replacing their outdoor light bulb with a pink bulb. I have noticed 
many front porch lights shining pink around our town. These pink bulbs 
help support a local nonprofit called Project Mammogram. Project 
Mammogram offers mammograms and other services free to patients in the 
Lake Houston area. Remember, not every woman can afford a mammogram. By 
providing free mammograms this organization has saved thousands of 
women.
  Almost everyone we know has been touched by this disease. 
Unfortunately, this disease has hit close to home for one of our very 
own community leaders, Leslie Raffa. Leslie and her husband, Tony, own 
two restaurants in the Lake Houston area. They are well-loved and 
respected in the community. Leslie battled breast cancer for over two 
and a half years, her final treatment was in February 2017. During the 
course of her treatments, she underwent a bilateral mastectomy, breast 
reconstruction and chemotherapy. During her battle, Leslie lost her 
sister to breast cancer in the summer of 2016. Leslie continued to 
fight while mourning the death of her sister.
  Leslie rang the monumental bell at MD Anderson in April of 2016. The 
bell signifies the end to treatment. Ringing the bell is a celebration. 
But Leslie soon realized that the end of treatment is not necessarily 
the end. She thought if she would just get to the end and cross the 
finish line it would all be over. But she soon discovered an emotional 
fall out occurs. Cancer is hard mentally. It takes months, years, to 
recover. She shares this piece of advice for those going through what 
she went through, ``it's ok to have a pity party, but don't unpack and 
stay there.'' Leslie exudes positive energy and happiness, even during 
the lowest moments. She beat the odds that come along with this disease 
and tries her best to educate those around her to get annual breast 
exams.
  Now this is where I usually say: ``And that's just the way it is.'' 
But Leslie's story is not over. The same year she completed her last 
treatment, Hurricane Harvey devastated our area. Raffa's Waterfront 
Grill was destroyed. Friends and family gathered quickly around them to 
help rebuild the restaurant that took on 5 feet of water. Leslie didn't 
flounder in pity and give up; she put on her water boots and gloves (I 
am sure they are pink) and began the cleanup process. Raffa's will open 
this year, and our community cannot be any happier for Tony and Leslie. 
This month Leslie will speak in front of hundreds of folks at the 
annual In the Pink Luncheon to share her survival story. Stories like 
Leslie's are an inspiration and a reminder that we must keep up the 
fight until there is a cure.

[[Page E1405]]

  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________