Gerlach Receives Award for Support of Breast Cancer Research and Prevention Funding

BRYN MAWR (PA)

Congressman Jim Gerlach (`PA-6th District) was honored by the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation recently for supporting life-saving breast cancer research and prevention programs.

During a National Breast Cancer Awareness Event at the Comprehensive Breast Center at Bryn Mawr Hospital, Gerlach received the Foundation’s ACE Award, which represents Actions, Commitment and Efforts toward eradicating breast cancer.

“This is a tremendous honor and a reminder that the legislation is not simply a collection of words on paper,” Gerlach said. “Legislation can change, and in some cases save, the lives of constituents. I am proud to support breast cancer funding that allows the highly-skilled medical professionals at Bryn Mawr Hospital and other facilities to use the most advanced technology for screening and detection and to continue research critical to improving treatment and survival rates of breast cancer patients.”

Gerlach has consistently supported a $150 million U.S. Defense Department Breast Cancer Research Program that has led to breakthroughs in detection and screening programs.

Gerlach is a co-sponsor of a new law enacted on October 8 that will provide grants to develop research centers to study the environmental factors that may be related to the cause of breast cancer. The bill also authorizes $40 million per year for the next five years for research into possible causes of breast cancer.

The congressman also was a co-sponsor of the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives on September 28. That bill would require health insurance plans to provide coverage for minimum hospital stays following mastectomies, lumpectomies and other breast cancer treatment.

Carolyn Casswell, a Chester Springs resident, talked about her eight-year battle with breast cancer during the event and about the importance of clinical trials in her treatment.

She then thanked Congressman Gerlach for his work on the issue.

“As a constituent, I am very proud to have you as my congressman,” Casswell told Gerlach. “You’ve listened, you’ve learned, and you have taken the women’s health issue of breast cancer seriously.”

The Bryn Mawr Hospital Comprehensive Breast Center has been providing risk assessment, screening and detection, diagnostic procedures and treatment since its opening in 2004.

Center Medical Director, Dr. Thomas G. Frazier, discussed some of the center’s latest and best initiatives in battling breast cancer. He also led a tour of the Center, which uses infrared imaging and digital equipment for some of the most-advanced screening and detection procedures in the country.

The Linda Creed Beast Cancer Foundation is a non-profit health agency that has been providing access to breast health for women with little or no insurance for more than 20 years, financial assistance for women undergoing treatment, education for all women and a public agenda for the prevention and cure of breast cancer.

“Jim Gerlach recognizes that combating breast cancer is a formidable task, one that can only be accomplished with good science, adequate funding, effective treatments and comprehensible awareness and education,” said Donna Duncan, Executive Director, Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation. “He has taken the lead in supporting meaningful legislation to accomplish this. The Pennsylvania women, part of the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Advocacy Network, recognized his strong commitment and are pleased to present him with our first annual ACE Award.”

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