California Affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure Convene Celebrities, Breast Cancer Survivors and Activists to Challenge Elected Officials to Strengthen Breast Cance...( California to Join Nationwide Campai...),Health

California to Join Nationwide Campaign Challenging U.S. to Close the Gaps

in Breast Cancer Care, Survival

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 17 and 18, hundreds of activists from seven California Affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure will host a series of events to launch California's participation in the Komen Community Challenge, a nationwide tour to close the gaps in breast cancer care that cause some women to die of the disease more than others.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070122/NYM084LOGO)

Activists, celebrities, breast cancer survivors and elected officials will participate in several events designed to engage communities around the state in advocating for legislation that will provide increased funding and expanded coverage for the California Department of Health Service's respected Every Woman Counts Program, which provides screening and treatment for uninsured women.

Nationwide, one in eight women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. In 2007 more than 19,000 California women were diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 4,000 died from the disease. Low-income and under-insured women are more likely to die from the disease, whereas those with access to early diagnosis have a 98 percent chance for survival.

Event and Media Availability Details

WHEN: Thursday, January 17

5:30 PM Pink Capitol Lighting

6:15 PM Rally and Concert

WHAT: "Close the Gap" Pink Capitol Lighting, Rally and Concert

WHO: Speakers at State Capitol:

Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (D-46)

Assembly Member Patty Berg (D-01), Women's Caucus Chair

Assembly Member Roger Niello (R-05)

Hala Moddelmog, President and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Ricardo Chavira of ABC's "De
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