County Executive James T. Smith Jr.
400 Washington Avenue
Old Courthouse Mezzanine
Towson, Maryland 21204
410-887-2450
E-mail Address: jimsmith@baltimorecountymd.gov Dear Friends of Baltimore County, Throughout the month of October, Baltimore County was proud to join millions of people across the nation to observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is a terrifying disease. One in eight women will be diagnosed with some form of breast cancer during her lifetime. In Maryland alone, it is estimated that 3,660 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in 2009. Started With A PromiseIn the fight against Breast Cancer, there is no group that has done more than Susan G. Komen for the Cure. What started as a promise between two sisters in 1982 has grown into a national commitment — the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. For the past 27 years, this organization has been giving women across the United States reason to hope and support to persevere. Their efforts have raised more than $1 billion dedicated to research and breast cancer awareness. In Maryland, we are fortunate to be home to Komen Maryland, one of the top ten most successful of Komen’s 125 affiliates in the country, which has raised more than $25 million dollars since its inception in 1993. Remarkable ProgressThanks in no small part to the of Susan G Komen for the Cure, today’s treatments for breast cancer are making remarkable progress and the chances for survival are better today than they have ever been. According to the American Cancer Society, the five year survival rate for women with breast cancer has improved from 63 percent in the early 1960s to 89 percent today. What is more encouraging, is that most of these women go on to lead full, healthy lives free from the disease. Early DiagnosisWhile the treatments available today save lives, nothing is more helpful to beating this disease than an early diagnosis. The chances for survival increase the earlier the cancer is detected, and the best way to detect breast cancer is through routine mammograms, clinical breast exams, and self- breast exams. By regularly scheduling these simple, but effective methods, women and their doctors can catch breast cancer in its earliest stages. Today, more than 75 percent of women over 40 receive mammograms, and there is a 98 percent survival rate if cancer is detected in the early stage. Raise FundsIn October, we were proud to support Susan G Komen for the Cure’s efforts by lighting the Old Courthouse in pink and by hosting the Komen Race for the Cure. For the third year in a row, we held the largest footrace in the State of Maryland to raise funds to support Susan G Komen for the Cure’s ongoing efforts to raise breast cancer awareness and research that will one day lead to a cure. Despite frigid temperatures and snow, 29,100 dedicated men, women, and children participated in this race. Their efforts raised an impressive $2.9 million. The Fight ContinuesBut the fight against breast cancer continues, and our determination to defeat this disease is not limited to a single month of the year. On behalf of our wives, our sisters, our daughters, and our friends, I urge you to visit www.komenmd.org and contribute to this worthy cause. I have confidence that the people of Baltimore County will support this worthy cause and get us that much closer to a day when the fear of breast cancer will be unknown. Sincerely, Jim Smith
Baltimore County Executive Revised November 3, 2009 |
Courthouse 