Receives Advocacy Award of Distinction from Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Washington, DC - Saturday night, Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) was awarded the Advocacy Award of Distinction by Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  The award was presented during the organization’s first “Honoring the Promise” event, held in The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC.  Congressman was one of seven people honored for his work to defeat breast cancer.  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.

“Thirty years ago I promised my sister Suzy to do whatever I could to end breast cancer forever.  And throughout that journey, few advocates have done more to champion the cause of increasing access to, and the quality of, breast cancer screening and treatment than Congressman John Dingell,” said Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, founder and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. 

“We need everyone’s commitment in this fight to end breast cancer” said Maureen Keenan Meldrum, chair of the Susan G. Komen Detroit Race for the Cure. “We are extremely proud of the research and clinical victories we witness every day. We continue to be relentless in spreading the message that early detection saves lives and that investment in research is critical. Congressman Dingell’s remarkable advocacy for mammography standards, breast and cervical cancer screening programs for the uninsured and so many other health care initiatives strengthen the foundation on which we stand in this battle. We are grateful to him for his profound understanding of the cancer burden and the leadership he has shown as we work together to eradicate this disease.” Meldrum is also the director of breast cancer special programs at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, local presenting sponsor of Komen’s Detroit Race. 

Congressman Dingell said after receiving the award: “When I needed a friend to support me in the fight to pass monumental bills saving the lives of millions of people, Nancy Brinker and the people at Komen Race for the Cure have been my greatest allies.  Without their support, we could not have passed the Mammography Quality Standards Act, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act and end the practice of drive-thru mastectomies.  I know they will be there again and I thank them for this honor.”


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 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.”

He has been a leader in the fight to end the practice of drive-thru mastectomies.

Congressman Dingell is a strong supporter of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—the nation’s leading medical research agency.  NIH funded research is expanding the knowledge of promising therapies, prevention strategies and diagnostic tests for breast cancer.  The Congressman was a strong advocate for the additional $10 Billion investment in NIH through the Recovery Act.  This $10 Billion boost included $1.3 Billion for cancer research.

He was also an architect of the new health reform law, which was signed into law by President Obama in March 2010.  The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will help the 32 million American’s who are currently uninsured purchase health insurance while prohibiting discrimination against customers with pre-existing conditions. The new law will provide needed patient protections and guarantee quality, affordable care for breast cancer patients.  The new law also will provide free preventive services for all Americans—a benefit necessary to improve early detection of breast cancer and other conditions.

He has also led the investigation into the rash of breast cancer cases among male Marines who served at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  Reports indicate between 50 and 60 men who served at Camp Lejeune have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Other honorees included former First Lady Laura Bush; Michelle Fenty, wife of Mayor Adrian Fenty; Ida Odinga, wife of Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga; and Doctors V. Craig Jordan, Mary-Claire King, and LaSalle Leffall, Jr.

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Honoring the Promise
Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is the global leader of the breast cancer movement, having invested nearly $1.5 billion since inception in 1982. As the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists, they are working together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Through events like the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has become the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.

Honoring the Promise is a celebration of the 30-year anniversary of the promise made by Susan G. Komen for the Cure founder and CEO Nancy G. Brinker to her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would do everything in her power to rid the world of breast cancer.  The historic evening of entertainment and awards recognized global leaders at the forefront of the fight and honored all supporters in the mission to end breast cancer.  The first-ever “Honoring the Promise” event will become an annual, signature celebration for Komen.  Proceeds will go to support breast cancer and community programs addressing the needs of women and men.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  It is the perfect time to remind someone you care about to consult with a doctor about screening or other steps that can taken to lower the risk of breast cancer.