PA First Lady Judge Marjorie O. Rendell Announces New PBCC Honorary Chair Leslie Anne Miller

(Ephrata, PA) -- First Lady Judge Marjorie O. Rendell and Pat Halpin-Murphy, president and founder of the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, announced Monday the appointment of Leslie Anne Miller, General Counsel to Governor Edward G. Rendell, as honorary chair of the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition at a luncheon at the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg.

“We cannot think of anyone more suitable for this position,” said Judge Rendell. “We know she will bring her incredible energy and talent to the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, just as she has to all of her other endeavors.”

“We applaud Judge Rendell’s recommendation and are delighted to welcome Leslie Anne Miller as our honorary chair”, said Halpin-Murphy. “It is our goal to give breast cancer survivors a voice, especially this year as we celebrate our tenth anniversary, and I can’t think of a better person than Leslie to help us achieve that goal. Her background in both the private sector and in government will be a wonderful asset in helping us pursue our mission: finding a cure for breast cancer now...so our daughters won't have to."

PA First Ladies have been instrumental in the fight against breast cancer since the PBCC was founded in 1993. Three former First Ladies, Ellen Casey, Michele Ridge and Kathy Schweiker, all served as PBCC honorary chairs. Because Judge Rendell’s position with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit precludes her from serving as honorary chair, she asked Miller to fulfill this important role.

Leslie Anne Miller is a powerful force in Pennsylvania. She was elected the first women president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. In January, she was named General Counsel to Governor Ed Rendell. Prior to that, she was Interim President of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. She serves as a member of the boards of trustees of Mount Holyoke College, her alma mater, and Dickinson School of Law.

Miller is also a breast cancer survivor. "I was so very lucky," she said. "I found it in a very early stage by a self-exam. A woman has to be responsible for her own body."

The PBCC will also present this year’s Pink Ribbon Award to Miller, an advocate for women with breast cancer, their families and all Pennsylvanians at the 2003 Keystone Breast Cancer Conference in Harrisburg on October 7 and 8.

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.