Washington, DC - As part of their 25th anniversary commemorative year, the Prevent Cancer Foundation has selected Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) as one of their ‘Prevention Champions’ for his outstanding work in cancer prevention and research.

“The Foundation congratulates Representative John Dingell on his work in cancer prevention.  Throughout our 25 years of working to promote awareness, research and Federal policy in support of cancer prevention we have been honored to work alongside Congressman Dingell.”  said Carolyn R. Aldige, President and Founder, Prevent Cancer Foundation. 

Upon receiving the award, Congressman Dingell stated: “I am honored to be named a 25th Anniversary Prevention Champion. This terrible disease has robbed us of far too many mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, husbands and wives.  I am proud of the progress we have made in providing cancer prevention resources to all Americans, and I am committed to building upon this work.  We can beat cancer and we’ll do whatever it takes to protect and save our people.”

Congressman Dingell has worked throughout his career to combat cancer and ensure that all Americans have access to the necessary resources to defeat this deadly disease.  Congressman Dingell was a sponsor of the Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1992 (MQSA), and played a key role in its original passage and subsequent re-authorizations in 1998 and 2004.

The Congressman also helped usher the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program legislation to passage in 2000 and reauthorization in 2007. Upon its passage by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Chairman Dingell briefly explained the reason for his steadfast support of cancer prevention initiatives, stating, “Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of death among women in the United States. Screening for and early detection of breast and cervical cancer reduces death rates and greatly improves cancer patients’ survival. Unfortunately, there is a low rate of screening among women of certain racial and ethnic minorities and among under- or uninsured women, which creates a wide gap in health outcomes. This is a chance for Congress to prolong the lives of women all around the country.”

Congressman Dingell was also the original sponsor of the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, which was signed into law by President Obama in March 2010.  The America’s Affordable Health Choices Act will help the 45 million American’s who are currently uninsured purchase health insurance while prohibiting discrimination against customers with pre-existing conditions. Due to this landmark legislation, cancer-survivors will no longer be turned away by insurance companies simply because they defeated cancer.

The Foundation selected honorees based on the following criteria:

 

• Members of Congress demonstrating consistent support for issues of importance in cancer prevention and overall cancer care.  Areas of support could include funding, research, access, primary prevention and education.
• Member of Congress is a survivor or caregiver that has used his/her platform to educate the public about issues in cancer prevention.
• Members of Congress who have consistently supported the Foundation, through participation in Foundation fundraising or awareness events.

About Prevent Cancer Foundation
The Prevent Cancer Foundation was started in 1985. Today, it is one of the nation’s leading health organizations and has catapulted cancer prevention to prominence. Through healthy lifestyle choices, you can reduce your risk of breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, oral, prostate, skin and testicular cancers.

Since its inception the Prevent Cancer Foundation has provided more than $113 million in support of cancer prevention and early detection research, education and community outreach programs across the country. The Foundation’s peer-reviewed grants have been awarded to nearly 400 scientists from more than 150 of the leading academic medical centers nationwide. This research has been pivotal in developing a body of knowledge that is the basis for important cancer prevention and early detection strategies. For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org.