Published on January 15, 2015
Updated on February 13, 2018
The start of 2015 ushered in the 114th Congress. Welcome new and re-elected Congressional families! The 114th Congress brings new Congressional members, spouses and families to both the House and Senate from more than 31 states.
The Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program invites all members of the Congressional family to learn more about cancer prevention and early detection. The Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program works to educate Congressional families and their communities about prevention, early detection and healthy lifestyles.
Since the Program was founded in 1991, the bipartisan Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program has worked to increase the public’s understanding of cancer and how to reduce risk. Families of Members of the U.S. Senate, House, Cabinet, Supreme Court and Diplomatic Corps work to educate their respective constituencies. As a congressional spouse, you have a unique platform to make a difference on an issue that transcends political lines and touches us all: cancer. The Program has grown to include more than 200 spouses on the advisory committee working to spread the message of cancer prevention and healthy living, both locally and nationally.
The Program offers a valuable opportunity to learn from and interact with leading medical professionals and cancer prevention advocates. This past March, the Program invited leaders from the Healthy Base Initiative (HBI) to host a presentation and discussion on Capitol Hill. HBI is a military program that encourages healthy eating and exercise and discourages tobacco use among the military and their families. In the fall, the Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program joined forces with the Disruptive Women in Health Care initiative to host a panel on women veterans’ health care. The panel included Representative Tim Walz, Washington State Director of Veteran Affairs and the co-producer of “Service: When Women Come Marching Home.”
Throughout the years, Congressional family members have been involved in a variety of projects, communities and events to support the important mission of cancer prevention and early detection to Stop Cancer Before it Starts! Opportunities for involvement include:
• Publish stories about cancer prevention in your local media, including Op-eds, therefore enhancing cancer prevention and early detection awareness. The Program creates these original materials.
• Film Congressional Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to create awareness of cancer prevention and early detection.
• Attend or tune in to Webinars & webcasts and participate in educational seminars featuring leading medical experts.
• Volunteer to host or participate in educational events to spread awareness on Capitol Hill and in your home districts.
• Attend the annual Action for Cancer Awareness Awards Luncheon. Congressional spouses nominate leaders in cancer prevention to be honored at the annual luncheon held on Capitol Hill. Past award recipients include leading medical professionals, Congressional spouses, Olympic athletes and award winning journalists.
The Prevent Cancer Foundation thanks the Congressional spouses who have dedicated time, energy and resources to support cancer prevention and continue to spread awareness, and we welcome the new Congressional spouses joining us this year.
Catch up with Congressional Families now by reading our latest newsletter or visit us online at congressionalfamilies.org.
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