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Good morning and welcome.
Thank you so much for accompanying Mariasun and me today
for the formal launch of the U.S.-Mexico Partnership for Breast
Cancer Awareness and Research.
I especially want to welcome, Mrs. Margarita Zavala, the
wife of Mexican President Felipe Calderon. And First Lady
of the United States, Laura Bush.
The Partnership we are launching today would not have been
possible without the commitment, grace and leadership of the
First Lady of the United States, Laura Bush.
Today, Laura and Mrs. Margarita Zavala stand shoulder to
shoulder with medical experts and civil society with one goal,
to give more women better and longer lives.
Also, I would like to recognize the following individuals:
- Ms. Bertha Aguilar, President of Fundacion CIM*ab;
- Dr. Alejandro Mojar, Director General of the Nacional Cancer
Institute (Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia);
- Dr. Kendra Woods, Director of Extramural Programs of the
University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center;
- And Mrs. Hala Moddelmog, President and CEO of Susan G. Komen
for the Cure.
Breast cancer knows no borders, and I have seen and lived
first-hand what cancer does to women and families. My mother
was diagnosed with cancer when I was 18 months old. My mother
battled her cancer for more than a decade, until her death
in 1972. Years later, my sister’s life would take her down
the same path. I witnessed how my mother and my sister fought
cancer.
I learned several things from both experiences: early detection
makes the difference between seeing your children grow up
or having your life abruptly cut short.
I learned that we have to talk about what is happening with
our children and in our families. Because, while we might
think we are protecting our loved ones by hiding the facts,
what we are really doing is confusing them and leaving them
with the sort of conflicted emotions that children find hard
to deal with alone.
I also learned that a diagnosis of cancer does not mean that
life is over; in fact, in a way it is just the beginning and
life’s battles will now be shared… I saw the examples of my
father and my brother-in-law… And I can say to men that they
must be supportive, unconditional, and honest with their partners…
And so it is vital that we all participate in this partnership
and to support it in the challenges that lie ahead.
Certainly, scientists continue to work toward a cure, but
what is already within our reach as individuals and can save
lives today are detection and early treatment.
I know that all of you have heard the statistics, but one
that caught my attention was the fact that in Mexico only
5% of breast cancer cases are detected in stages 0 and 1 –
before it invades the entire body… and that every day twelve
women die from this disease.
In contrast, in the United States, 50% of the cases are detected
in these early stages and the five-year life expectancy for
these women is 98%... and there are 2.5 million survivors…
It is time that this progress reaches not only Mexico, but
the entire world.
That is the goal of this Partnership… And as I have said,
that is the difference between a life of shared experiences
with your mothers, sisters, wives and yes, even your daughters…
or leaving a void in which our loved ones can only imagine
what might have been.
Now, it is my pleasure to introduce one of the key members
of this Partnership, Ms. Hala Moddelmog, President of the
Susan G. Komen for the Cure. This foundation has made a name
for itself worldwide not only for its creativity but also
for its’efforts in educating the public about breast cancer.
Today, Hala will share with us some insights into the hard
work her organization is doing in the United States and around
the world.
(Comments by Ms. Moddelmog)
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center is also
world renowned for its expertise and for its generosity in
sharing their know-how. It is a pleasure to have here with
us Dr. Kendra Woods to represent M.D. Anderson. We look very
much forward to hearing about Anderson’s participation in
Mexico. Dr. Woods?
(Comments by Dr. Woods)
Now, it is an honor and a privilege for me to present Mrs.
Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States, a dear friend
for many years and a woman whom I respect and admire deeply….
Laura, thank you for coming to Mexico to personally participate
in this Partnership that was announced by the White House
last July. Ladies and Gentlemen, I ask you to join me in giving
a warm welcome to the First Lady of the United States, Laura
Bush.
(Comments by Mrs. Bush)
Today, we are proud to be joined by Mrs. Margarita Zavala,
the wife of President Calderon, a woman who in her political
career has demonstrated her leadership and personal commitment
to women’s issues, and moreover is the only Mexican First
Lady to have served in the Congress of this country. Her presence
is a clear signal of the interest at the highest levels of
the Mexican government in matters of health. Please, let’s
give a warm welcome to Mrs. Zavala.
(Comments by Mrs. Zavala)
Now I would like to invite the signatories of this partnership
to sign the formal agreement. I would also like to invite
our witnesses of honor, Margarita Zavala and Laura Bush to
accompany us in this important moment.
Finally, I would like to sincerely thank all of you for your
presence at this event. Hopefully today we have witnessed
another step along the path of awareness and early detection…
A path that will move us toward a greater hope of women having
fuller lives… and also greater hope for those who walk hand-in-hand
with them. Again, thank you and I would like to conclude as
I always do, simply by asking that God bless Mexico and the
United States— now and forever. Thank you.
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