Congressman John Murtha, Mrs. Joyce Murtha and Leslie Anne Miller, General Counsel to Governor Edward Rendell, to receive Pink Ribbon Awards

(Ephrata, PA) The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC) is holding its 2003 Keystone Breast Cancer Conference on Tuesday, October 7 and Wednesday, October 8 at the Harrisburg Hilton and Towers.

The two-day event, held every October, is the premiere breast cancer conference in the Commonwealth. Close to one thousand attendees participate in the conference which offers a Scientific Training Seminar, Grand Rounds for Physicians and Healthcare Professionals, educational workshops and the Pink Ribbon Awards luncheon.

The 2003 conference features 14 educational workshops that allow participants to hear the latest breast cancer updates directly from some of the world’s best physicians and professionals working with women affected by the disease. These sessions will include topics such as new trends in breast cancer treatment, fertility and pregnancy after breast cancer, insurance questions and answers, the mind/body connection and clinical trials. Continuing education credits are available for nurses, radiologists and social workers.

“This year's 10th anniversary conference is another milestone in our fight to stop the tragedy of breast cancer for women and their families,” said Pat Halpin-Murphy, PBCC President and Founder. “We applaud each of our award winners for their outstanding achievements in breast cancer research, education, outreach and advocacy. Each year's Keystone Breast Cancer Conference brings us closer to our ultimate goal of finding a cure now…so our daughters won't have to.”

This year’s Vivian and Meyer P. Potamkin Foundation Award for Breast Cancer Research recipient is Norman Wolmark, MD, Chairman, Department of Human Oncology at Allegheny General Hospital and Chairman and Principal Investigator of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP). The Potamkin Foundation Award is presented each year to an individual who is performing outstanding work in the field of breast cancer research. It is part of a PBCC endowment from Vivian and Meyer P. Potamkin, the late Philadelphia philanthropists.

Dr. Wolmark is an admired breast cancer expert and respected leader in the medical community. He is currently the Chairman of the NSABP, which is a national clinical trials group with a membership of nearly 300 universities and community hospitals where patients are cared for using NSABP protocols. He will be presenting the Grand Rounds for Physicians and Healthcare Professionals.

The PBCC’s Pink Ribbon Award is presented for outstanding leadership in breast cancer research, education, treatment and advocacy. This year’s award recipients are Congressman John Murtha, Jr., Mrs. Joyce Murtha and Leslie Anne Miller, Esq., General Counsel to Governor Ed Rendell.

Congressman and Mrs. Murtha have dedicated their lives to women’s health issues. As the namesake for Windber Medical Center’s Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center, Mrs. Murtha was an inspiration to all at the opening of the PBCC’s traveling photo exhibit, “67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania.”

As the first combat-experienced Vietnam veteran elected to Congress, Representative John Murtha knows how to fight for change. Initially, Congressman Murtha added provisions in the defense budget to make mammograms available to military women. Since then, he has been instrumental in directing over $500 million into research and education efforts.

The PBCC's second Pink Ribbon Award is presented to Leslie Anne Miller, Esq. Prior to becoming General Counsel to the governor, she was the first woman president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and Interim President of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. Miller, a breast cancer survivor, is a strong advocate for women with breast cancer, their families and all Pennsylvanians. Miller is also the new PBCC Honorary Chair.

Drew Dorgon, president of Howard Miller and Associates, a Lancaster advertising firm, is receiving the Shining Light Award for exceptional grassroots leadership in Breast Cancer outreach and advocacy. Also highlighted at the conference is the Tuesday, October 7, Legacy of Love Reception in which the S.T.A.R. Volunteer Award will be presented to the ABC's Support Group from Carlisle.

The $50.00 conference registration fee includes the Tuesday Legacy of Love evening reception, continental breakfast on Wednesday, one morning and one afternoon educational workshop, the Pink Ribbon Awards Luncheon and closing Pink Ribbon Reception. Discounted rooms are available at the Harrisburg Hilton for conference participants.

The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, which celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year, is a non-profit organization that serves each of the state's 67 counties through a network of County Captains, Regional Vice Presidents and a statewide Board of Directors. The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition's mission is to improve the quality of breast cancer education, research and outreach in the state and to find a cure for breast cancer now…so our daughters won't have to.

For more information on the PA Breast Cancer Coalition call 1-800-377-8828 or visit the website www.pabreastcancer.org.