02/27/2015
February 25, 2015
Vivian Dixon My Sisters and I Wedding Event Trends, LLC Los Angeles, CA 91335
Dear Ms. Dixon,
Thank you so much for selecting me as the Breast Cancer Survivor Honoree, it is truly appreciated.
I am a 20 year survivor, and made a promise to God and myself that I would put my efforts in helping others, especially African American Women. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among Black women under 45 years of age, we have the highest morbidity with poor rehabilitation and physical functioning, the highest number of triple negative diagnosis, and the most women with a late stage [stage four] diagnosis, the greatest treatment delay after a diagnosis, most difficult and unresponsive to current treatments … I felt something has to be done.
I have been an advocate and lobbied for the National Breast Cancer Coalition to our California elected Congressional representatives since 2004 for Quality of Care for all, $150 million for breast cancer research, and for support for ending breast cancer by 2020.
I continue to work with the Komen for the Cure, the California Breast Cancer Research Program and the Department of Defense as a Consumer Reviewer for Breast Cancer Research Project Applications.
There is more to be done, more is needed, funding for research is needed, and education and information to African American women is truly needed. I fully support a collaborative effort to stimulate all and especially African American women to have a strategic plan of action about African American Health issues which includes Breast Cancer.
Once again many thanks for the lovely basket which included so many nice goodies.
Warm Regards,
Shirley H. Brown