[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 35 (Monday, September 4, 2006)]
[Pages 1528-1529]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8044--National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, 2006

August 29, 2006

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month provides an opportunity to 
raise awareness of risk factors, prevention, and treatment of this 
deadly disease. Our Nation is committed to fighting ovarian cancer, 
finding its cure, and providing hope and healing to those who are 
affected by it.
    While ovarian cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-
related death among women in our country, scientists have made

[[Page 1529]]

significant progress in understanding the factors associated with it. 
Women of all ages can develop this cancer, but studies have shown risk 
increases with age. Other factors associated with ovarian cancer include 
family history, obesity, use of fertility drugs, and a prior occurrence 
of certain cancers. Because the chances of surviving ovarian cancer are 
higher when it is diagnosed and treated in its early stages, women 
should talk to their doctors about risk factors and screenings for this 
disease.
    America leads the world in medical research, and we are committed to 
continuing progress in research for prevention, better treatments, and a 
cure for ovarian cancer. This year, the National Institutes of Health 
will invest an estimated $106 million in ovarian cancer research, and 
the National Cancer Institute is sponsoring clinical trials to explore 
new ways to improve ovarian cancer treatment. The Department of Defense 
will also dedicate an estimated $10 million for its Ovarian Cancer 
Research Program, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC) will invest an estimated $5 million to ovarian cancer research. 
The CDC is additionally partnering with private organizations to sponsor 
ovarian cancer survivor courses for patients, as well as their friends 
and loved ones, following successful cancer treatment.
    During National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, we honor the victims 
and survivors of this disease for their courage, hope, and perseverance, 
and we thank the families and friends who provide these individuals with 
comfort and care. Our Nation is grateful to medical professionals, 
researchers, and all those whose tireless efforts are making a positive 
difference in the lives of countless women in our country. By working 
together, we can continue to fight ovarian cancer and help more of our 
citizens defeat this devastating disease.
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and 
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2006 as National 
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. I call upon government officials, 
businesses, communities, health care professionals, educators, 
volunteers, and the people of the United States to continue our Nation's 
strong commitment to preventing and treating ovarian cancer.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth 
day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
first.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., August 31, 
2006]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
September 1.