For Immediate
Release
April 29, 2002
Contact: Channell Barbour or Kay Harrod (502) 564-2611
Frankfort,
KY - The real winners this year won’t be found at the Kentucky Derby but at
the “Celebration of Hope” hosted by First Lady Judi Patton on Monday, May 6
at 1:30 p.m. at the Farnham Dudgeon Civic Center.
The
Celebration of Hope, begun in May 1998 by Mrs. Patton, started out with a tea
for 200 at the Governor’s Mansion honoring breast cancer survivors as a way to
recognize Kentucky women around Mother’s Day.
The event has grown to be part of the First Lady’s Derby activities
following on the Monday after Derby. Presently more than 2,000 women’s names
have been added to a database that is maintained by the First Lady’s office.
It is the only recording of survivors in the state.
This
year, survivors are encouraged to design a hat and wear it to the celebration as
participants in a hat contest. A
special guest celebrity and friends will judge the contest. Prizes will be
awarded to the most original design reflecting beast cancer awareness or the
road to survivorship. The only rule is that the hat must be worn into the event.
The
First Lady has been very instrumental in the fight against Breast Cancer. She
serves as the chair of the Governor’s Task Force on Breast Cancer and
the Honorary Chair for the Kentucky Breast Cancer Coalition. She has actively
worked with the legislature to create the Office of Women’s Physical and
Mental Health and legislation that requires insurance companies cover breast
reconstruction and equalization following mastectomies, as well as stem cell
treatment when necessary. During the
2000 legislative session, health departments statewide were granted funding over
the biennium to complete thousands more cancer screenings.
Funding was also awarded to continue operation of the breast cancer task
force.
She has received national recognition from the National Breast
Coalition when she enlisted state government employees in the 2.3 signature
campaign petitioning congress for more dollars for breast cancer research. She
also works in collaboration with Rite Aid Drugs for the Mother’s Day Mammogram
campaign in May that offers free or reduced cost mammograms to uninsured and
underinsured women.
“Breast
cancer is not just a women’s issue. It’s an issue for every person who loves
or depends on someone who could fall victim to this illness," said Mrs.
Patton.
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