Governor Gregoire addresses breast cancer survivors, activists in the Komen Race for the Cure

June 21, 2008

*As Written*

Thank you,for the kind introduction

I�m honored to be here again this year.

How wonderful to see all of you today!

This event is so much more than just working for a cure for breast cancer. It�s also a time to celebrate the courage and determination of breast cancer survivors�

�Our mothers and grandmothers�our daughters and nieces�our friends, and the woman down the street. God bless and keep you all.

I want to thank my friend, Mona Locke, and her staff at Susan G. Komen Foundation, for their tremendous efforts in organizing this important event.

I also want to thank all of you as survivors and activists for being here.

This event brings serious attention to a problem that touches all of us � women, and yes, men too.

Together on this day, we demonstrate the hope we share with our families, friends and colleagues - that we will find a cure.

And it very visibly reminds us once again that too many families struggle with this dread disease.

Today is also an opportunity for me to reconfirm my commitment to do all I can to promote critical health initiatives, such as my support of the Women�s Cancer Center, of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

I will continue to support biomedical and life science facilities across the state through the Life Science Discovery Fund � a trust fund established to invest in the next generation of research in predictive and preventative health care.

The important activities of the Komen Foundation also raises awareness of how critical early detection is, and that we all need to encourage each other to practice good prevention.

Early detection saves lives, and that I can say from personal experience. Early detection saved my life.

As we walk today, I encourage everyone to also reconfirm their commitment to continue to be active in supporting breast cancer prevention and early detection educational activities.

Ask the women in your family: �are you checking?�

Enjoy yourselves on this amazing June-uary day!

Thank you for sharing your time today and showing your commitment to the health of Washington Women!