PA Breast Cancer Coalition President Pat Halpin-Murphy Reappointed to PA Cancer Control, Prevention and Research Advisory Board by Governor Corbett

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 14, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recently, the Senate of Pennsylvania unanimously approved Governor Tom Corbett's reappointment of PA Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC) President and Founder Pat Halpin-Murphy to the State's Cancer Control, Prevention and Research Advisory Board (CAB). Pat has served as a member of this statewide board under five Governors, helping to develop the State's cancer plans, a cancer registry and offer input to the PA Department of Health (DOH) on cancer-related issues, including the Department's unprecedented partnership to create the first-ever Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan for the Commonwealth. As such, Pat Halpin-Murphy served as a gubernatorial appointee to the Advisory Board and the Pennsylvania Cancer Control Consortium, an organization with representatives from government, universities, cancer centers, hospitals, health coalitions and community organizations, formed by DOH. Pat also chairs the Refunds for Research for Breast and Cervical Cancer committee which has raised and awarded nearly $3 million in grants to outstanding researchers across the state.

In 1980, the Pennsylvania Cancer Control Prevention and Research Act (Act 224) established an 11-member Cancer Control, Prevention and Research Advisory Board (CAB) that meets quarterly and advises the Secretary of Health on cancer control and prevention-related issues. The law also requires the Pennsylvania Department of Health to develop a state cancer plan. The first Commonwealth Cancer Plan was issued in 1983; the plan called for establishment of a cancer registry, reduction of tobacco use, promotion of early detection for breast and cervical cancer and support of epidemiological and demographic studies. From 1983 to today, the CAB has convened to set direction for cancer control through review and recommendation for additional cancer plans, cancer control initiatives, annual budgets, unsolicited cancer proposals and evaluate new cancer programs.

"I am honored and delighted to continue my service to families and all Pennsylvania residents, under the leadership of Governor Corbett and the Secretary of Health," said Halpin-Murphy. "With 32 women being diagnosed with breast cancer each day in Pennsylvania, it is vital we collaborate, leverage and harness our resources, knowledge and expertise to tackle and reduce the incidence of cancer in in this state," she added.

Pat acts as an Advocate Member, representing breast cancer survivors, on the Board of Directors for the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP). In addition to her role as an Advocate Member, Pat chairs the NSABP Patient Advisory Board, which reviews new proposals and protocols for clinical trials. She serves as a member of the University of Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Advocacy Board for the P2 trial, as well as participates in RTOG's consensus group on whether or not women who have four or fewer positive nodes should receive radiation. Additionally, Pat serves on the Patient Advocacy Committee of the Coalition of National Cancer Cooperative Groups, Inc. and previously served on the corporate board for Highmark Blue Shield. 

The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, founded in 1993 by Pat Halpin-Murphy, is a statewide non-profit organization and the only statewide grassroots organization that speaks to and for breast cancer survivors. It was organized to extend public awareness of breast cancer, and to encourage increased public and private funding for research, legislative advocacy and high quality screening, diagnosis and treatment. Some of PBCC's accomplishments include: the annual statewide Conference, advocating and promoting Free Treatment for Breast Cancer, Friends Like Me Care Packages, Take a Swing Against Breast Cancer® home run derby events, Refunds for Breast Cancer Research, 67 Women, 67 Counties traveling photo exhibit, and more. Each year more than 12,000 Pennsylvania women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. More than 2,000 will lose their lives to the disease. The PBCC's mission is to find a cure for breast cancer and to improve the quality of breast cancer education, research, programming and outreach in the state. 

"My goal has always been to provide hope of a brighter tomorrow by providing action and valuable information to women with breast cancer today," said Halpin-Murphy. "By working with other esteemed and outstanding colleagues on cancer issues and challenges, we can successfully continue our progress and advancements in this state." Pat was recently recognized by the National Governors Association as their Distinguished Service to State Government awardee and by the Pennsylvania Commission for Women with their Women Change America Award. As the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition's Founder and President, as well as a breast cancer survivor, Pat is totally committed to eradicating breast cancer now so our daughters won't have to. She is quoted as saying, "Pennsylvania has the fourth highest rate of breast cancer in the nation; we say enough is enough, it's time to end this devastating disease." 

Pat is an avid political scholar and committed public servant. Pat grew up in Philadelphia, earning a Master of Science degree in Economics from Drexel University, a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from West Chester University. She lives in Montgomery County, PA. She has two daughters and four grandchildren. 

Kevin Smith
Communications Director
717-721-2580 x109
Kevin@PABreastCancer.org

The PBCC will kick off its 20th Anniversary Celebration later this year through Breast Cancer Awareness Month events throughout October and beyond. 

The PBCC represents, supports and serves breast cancer survivors and their families in Pennsylvania through educational programming, legislative advocacy and breast cancer research grants. The PBCC is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure now…so our daughters won't have to. For more information, please call 800-377-8828 or visit www.PABreastCancer.org. ;

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