[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 122 (Monday, July 27, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E741]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING KAROL TOOMER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 27, 2026

  Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay 
tribute to Karol Toomer, a breast cancer survivor and secretary of 
Miami, Florida, Chapter of Sisters Network Incorporated.
  Ms. Toomer was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. In September of 
2012, Ms. Toomer, who has been a strong advocate for breast cancer 
awareness, became the Secretary for the Miami Chapter of Sisters 
Network, Inc., a national African-American breast cancer survivorship 
organization. Its mission is to address the needs particular to 
African-American women, the underinsured and the underserved around the 
country by getting the message out that ``we must stop the silence 
about breast cancer so women can start beating the odds.'' The 
organization has since provided a strong support group for hundreds of 
women with breast cancer, as well as survivors in South Florida.
  Experts estimate that about one out of every eight women born today 
will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time during her life. The 
strongest risk factor for breast cancer is age. A woman's risk of 
developing this disease increases as she gets older. However, thanks to 
the work Ms. Toomer is doing and improvements in cancer treatment and 
early detection, millions of women and thousands of men are surviving 
breast cancer today.
  Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United 
States, other than skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of 
cancer death in women, after lung cancer. The disease occurs almost 
entirely in women, but men can get it, too. Today, there are more than 
2.9 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
  I am honored to recognize Karol Toomer, a breast cancer survivor and 
secretary of the Miami Chapter of Sisters Network, for her dedication 
and commitment to our community and the fight against breast cancer.

                          ____________________