Thursday, March 3, 2011

Thank you Governor Perry!

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month. Organizations across the country work to raise awareness of the need for prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer, encouraging screening, and advocating for research funds, and legislation related to research and screening.


Having a close personal relationship with colorectal cancer, I have felt a strong desire to help make sure that other people don't have to go through this experience. I want to get the news out there that colorectal cancer is preventable and it's treatable; and that early detection is the key to long-term survival.


With that in mind, I decided to contact our local and state officials and ask them to proclaim March 2011 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness month in the state of Texas and in the city of Houston. I contacted Governor Rick Perry and Mayor Annise Parker, as well as local Harris County officials. I didn't really expect anything to come of it, but I thought I would do my part to try to raise awareness in my community.


Imagine my surprise last week when I checked the mailbox and found a large envelope from the Governor's office! Governor Perry responded to my request and on February 14th he officially proclaimed March 2011 to be Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in the great state of Texas! I was so excited to see the results of my advocacy and proud to know that I had a part in making it happen! 


Then two days later I received a phone call from the office of the Mayor of Houston. Mayor Parker received my request and officially proclaimed March 2011 to be Colorectal Cancer Awareness month in the city of Houston! Wow! Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States and our city officials recognize the importance of raising awareness about prevention and screening for colorectal cancer! 


Thank you, Governor Perry! Thank you, Mayor Parker! 

Please join me in getting the word out! 
Colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable, beatable!
Get screened!


6 comments:

  1. That is awesome!!! Way to go!

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  2. I love this!!! You go girl!

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  3. Way to go! You ARE making a difference!

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  4. Go Laura, go Laura! You are certainly not wasting your cancer journey my friend. SO PROUD to say I know you!
    Love Debbie

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  5. How did you do this? Just write a letter to your Governor? I want to do the same with hereditary spastic paraparaesis. Awesome news!

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