HR1011 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1011 LRB098 20895 MST 58505 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Susan G. Komen Foundation has become the global leader in the fight against breast cancer, transforming how the world talks about and treats the disease, and has helped turn millions of breast cancer patients into breast cancer survivors; and

WHEREAS, Every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, and every 13 minutes, a woman who is loved is lost to this disease; and

WHEREAS, Central Illinois native Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister Suzy more than 30 years ago that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever, with that promise becoming the Susan G. Komen Foundation, now the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer; and

WHEREAS, The Susan G. Komen Memorial Affiliate serves women and families in 36 counties across central Illinois, including Sangamon County; and

WHEREAS, The Komen Memorial Affiliate already awarded nearly $80,000 in local community health grants in the Springfield area last year, including providing free mammography services to uninsured women; and

WHEREAS, The Komen Memorial Affiliate has a successful history of fundraising events including Race for the Cure 5K races in Peoria and Bloomington, but not yet in Springfield; and

WHEREAS, The Komen Memorial Affiliate is proud to bring the Komen Race for the Cure to Springfield for the first time on May 16, 2014; and

WHEREAS, The Inaugural Komen Springfield Race for the Cure 5K will be the Foundation's first evening race and will bring participants to downtown Springfield, ending at the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, Racers of all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate and raise funds to support the Susan G. Komen Foundation to end breast cancer and save lives; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Jane Arbuthnot and Victoria Ringer, both of Springfield, are serving as the Race's Honorary Co-Chairpersons; and

WHEREAS, Julie Henderson, an 8-year breast cancer survivor, and her daughter Nicole Henderson, are serving as the first Komen Race mother and daughter co-chairpersons; and

WHEREAS, The supporters of the Inaugural Komen Springfield Race for the Cure hope to "paint the Capitol area pink" in support of breast cancer awareness and finding a cure, with a highlight of ending the evening with pink fireworks on the Capitol lawn; and

WHEREAS, With our help and support, the Komen Memorial Affiliate will raise even more money to fight breast cancer in our communities with 75% of the net proceeds directly funding programs in the service area and 25% supporting national research; and

WHEREAS, State Representative David Leitch has long supported the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Komen Memorial Affiliate, serving as board member and being a personal friend of the late Suzy Komen, and we thank him and honor him for his work; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the Susan G. Komen Foundation for its unwavering commitment to saving lives and ending breast cancer and show our support for the Inaugural Komen Springfield Race for the Cure on May 16, 2014, and wish all those involved all the best in their endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Springfield Race for the Cure co-chairpersons, Julie and Nicole Henderson.