Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program ®

First Lady Jill Biden Joins Congressional Families Program Spring Reception

On Wednesday, April 19, the Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program hosted our inaugural spring reception to advance cancer prevention and early detection.

First Lady Jill Biden joined the event as part of the Biden Administration’s Cancer Moonshot, working with the Congressional Families Program to highlight bipartisan support for cancer prevention and early detection. Held at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., the event hosted Members of Congress, spouses, and leaders in the cancer community, including Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and his wife, Dr. Carolina Reyes, and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi.

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Letter From The Executive Director

Dear congressional spouses and friends, Let me begin by welcoming our newest Congressional Families Program members and supporters!

Since 1991, the Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program has been a way for congressional spouses and members to come together, regardless of political party, to support a common cause—educating the public about cancer prevention and early detection. Cancer knows no political party, and too many of us have been touched by these terrible diseases. The need to put an end to cancer deaths is something we can all agree on.

With the start of the 118th Congress, we have welcomed five spouses to our Executive Council and 79 spouses to our Advisory Committee, representing both sides of the aisle. If you’re not listed and would like to be, please send me an email! There is no financial or time commitment—only a desire to use your platform to educate the public about cancer prevention and early detection. It can be as simple as sharing one of our sample social media posts, recording a scripted one-minute video, or submitting an op-ed to your local media.

Earlier this year, some of our new members joined us for an introductory meeting on Zoom to learn more about the Program and hear from spouses who have been involved in their home districts and states. If you missed that meeting, you can view the recording at https://youtu.be/c6cPT78ZBBE.

Another big event for us was in April, when we were so honored to be joined by First Lady Jill Biden, along with a bipartisan panel, for our inaugural spring reception held at the Library of Congress. It was important for Dr. Biden to hear directly from you—congressional spouses—on the bipartisan work that is being done.

I am so proud to be part of this community and the work that we do. I look forward to learning about cancer prevention activities being done in your communities, the personal stories that draw you to this work, and thoughts on how we can work together.

Warmly,

Lisa McGovern, Executive Director

Thank You To Our Sponsors

Upcoming Events

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

30th Annual Action for Cancer Awareness Awards Luncheon

Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

Prevent Cancer Foundation

29th Annual Gala

National Building Museum, Washington, D.C. The 2023 Prevent Cancer Gala will be held under the gracious patronage of Her Excellency, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Dina Kawar.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING ACTION: OP-ED OUTREACH

Each month, the Congressional Families Program offers members and spouses the opportunity to submit op-eds about cancer prevention and early detection to their local media outlets. Op-eds can be personalized and tailored for local use. Thank you to the following members and spouses who have recently requested state-specific information to personalize their op-eds and share vital cancer prevention and early detection messages in their home communities:

◗ Bronwen Fry – S.C.

◗ Nicole Beus Harris – Md.

◗ Martha Hill – Ark.

◗ Mikey Hoeven – N.D.

◗ Wayne Kye, D.D.S., M.S. – N.Y.

◗ Dr. Marcia Latta – Ohio

◗ Rep. Jim and Lisa McGovern (joint op-ed) – Mass.

◗ Jane Mrvan – Ind.

◗ Leslie Small – Ga.

◗ Amanda Soto – Fla.

Learn more about how you can educate the public about cancer prevention and early detection at www.congressionalfamilies.org.

First Lady Jill Biden Joins Congressional Families Program Spring Reception

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First Lady Jill Biden was joined by Rep. Nikema Williams (Ga.) and a panel of congressional spouses who spoke of their participation in the Congressional Families Program and their work to raise awareness in their home states and districts. Participating spouses included:

Charlie Capito, married to Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.)

Martha Hill, married to Rep. French Hill (Ark.)

Mary Himes, married to Rep. Jim Himes (Conn.)

LeeAnn Johnson, married to Rep. Bill Johnson (Ohio)

“Cancer touches us all. It’s not a red or a blue issue. It’s a human one and it takes all of us to stop it,” said First Lady Jill Biden in her remarks during the program. “That’s why this event and this organization matter so much. We can collaborate, share good ideas and best practices. Together, we can get people the information they need to prevent cancer before it happens and catch it early if it does.”

The event also recognized Rep. Doris Matsui (Calif.), who was honored with the inaugural Carolyn “Bo”

Aldigé Visionary Award for her leadership in creating the Program in 1991 as a partnership between the Congressional Club, which she led as a congressional spouse at the time, and the Prevent Cancer Foundation founded by Ms. Aldigé. “More than 30 years ago, Doris Matsui and Bo Aldigé recognized the great potential and value in bringing congressional spouses together— who are powerhouses in their own right—to share vital prevention and early detection information in their home districts and states,” said Lisa McGovern, Program Executive Director. “We applaud the Biden Cancer Moonshot for its bipartisan work, using the most visible platform in the nation to prioritize prevention. Cancer does not care what party you support and neither do we. It takes all of us working together to beat this formidable foe.”

MAKING YOUR VOICE HEARD: VOICES FOR CANCER PREVENTION VIDEO SERIES

In 2022, Congressional Families launched a new way for Program members to use their voices to educate the public about cancer prevention and early detection: the Voices for Cancer Prevention video series. Congressional members and spouses are invited to film brief cancer prevention and early detection messages, and then we (and you!) can post them on YouTube and other social media outlets. To view the series, visit bit.ly/3RVA2vD. If you’re interested in participating, reach out and we can work with you on a script and walk you through this easy process that can be done right from your phone!

Thank you to the following members and spouses who have filmed videos this year:

◗ Laura Cassidy, M.D. – La. (National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month)

◗ Conan Harris – Mass. (National Minority Health Month)

◗ Debra Miller, M.D. – Ga. (Testicular Cancer Awareness Month)

◗ Esther Reynoso, M.D. – Calif. (Cervical Health Awareness Month)