HARRISBURG – To remind people of the importance of early detection and treatment of breast cancer, the Pennsylvania Commission for Women and Lt. Governor Catherine Baker Knoll kicked-off national Breast Cancer Awareness Month Monday by turning the capitol fountain pink.
“We’re not just turning our capitol’s fountain pink,” Baker Knoll said. “We’re honoring women everywhere who have survived or, sadly, lost their battles with breast cancer. We’re calling for a cure on behalf of all the amazing women in this commonwealth.”
Breast cancer is one of the many women’s health issues in which the commission helps raise awareness.
In Pennsylvania alone, one in seven women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer at some point in her life. This disease continues to be one of the most common types of cancer among Pennsylvania women.
“This striking pink fountain is a powerful visual reminder that we have to keep fighting this disease with all our resources,” said Pennsylvania Commission for Woman Executive Director Leslie Stiles, who is also a breast-
cancer survivor and an honorary chair of the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition. “The better we are able to communicate and educate, the greater the likelihood that more women will get a mammogram and more women will tell a friend to do the same.”
Department of General Services Secretary James Creedon and PA Breast Cancer Coalition President and Founder Pat Halpin Murphy joined Stiles and the lieutenant governor.