As we gear up for our Susan G. Komen NC Triad Race for the Cure next Saturday, May 3, it’s important to take a minute to think about why we do this. The fight to eradicate breast cancer has many fronts, and one of the most vital is public policy. We must advocate support not only for breast cancer research, but also support for those who have been diagnosed and those who are at especially high risk of breast cancer. I received this email from Diane Balma of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance regarding GINA – the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act – which if passed would make it illegal to discriminate based on genetic information.
This protection is critical, since testing for a specific genetic mutation commonly associated with breast cancer can lead to early detection and treatment – saving countless lives.
Now we have great news. More than 16,000 of you sent letters to your Senators in support of GINA, and it paid off!
Thanks to your support, the Senate unanimously passed GINA last night (Thursday, April 25) and now the bill just needs approval from the House and the signature of the President – both of which are expected to happen quickly.
GINA prohibits discrimination by health insurers and employers on the basis of genetic information. So now, thanks to GINA, women who would otherwise have avoided genetic testing because they feared discrimination – thus being denied information that could help them manage their health or their family’s health – will have protections under federal law.
The passage of GINA is an important step that presents a great opportunity to promote personalized medicine and the use of genetic information in healthcare. This will lead to better research and development for new targeted drugs and treatments, which will save lives.
GINA will become the law of the land. And you helped make it possible.
I encourage you to visit the Susan G. Komen Advocacy Alliance website and learn more about the issues that are facing us today, and join the ranks of supporters and advocates. This election year is a great time make our voices heard!
