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Pat
Halpin-Murphy, President and Founder of the
Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition has been
appointed by Governor Tom Ridge to a second
term on the Pennsylvania Cancer Control, Prevention
and Research Advisory Board. Halpin-Murphy
received approval from the Senate for the 4-year
appointment on January 25, 2000. Members
of the Cancer Advisory Board make recommendations
to the Secretary
of Health, regarding grants
and contracts for cancer control, prevention
and research to associations organized in Pennsylvania
and to governmental agencies in Pennsylvania.
Pat Halpin-Murphy serves as Co-Chair of the
Board's "Income
Tax Check-off" committee for Breast and Cervical
Cancer Research. "I am thrilled to accept this
re-appointment to the Cancer Control Board," said
Halpin-Murphy. "There is so much promising
research taking place in Pennsylvania. It is
exciting
to be part of an organization that is instrumental
in directing funds that will enable this critical
research to continue until we find a cure."
In 1997, as a result of legislation initiated
by the PBCC, Governor Tom Ridge signed the Breast
and Cervical Cancer Research Act, enabling Pennsylvanians
to donate their state income tax refunds to breast
and cervical cancer research. In its first two
years, the program has raised more than $500,000.
One hundred percent of the funds raised are awarded
to cancer investigators at research hospitals
in Pennsylvania. In April 1999, Governor Ridge
presented research grants averaging $25,000 to
eleven researchers. Second year grants will be
presented in the spring of 2000.
Founded by Halpin-Murphy in
1993, the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition
is the only statewide
grassroots organization that speaks to and
for breast cancer survivors and their families.
Headquartered
in Lancaster County, the PBCC provides outreach
and education to all of the Commonwealth's
67 counties through programs like the nationally
acclaimed Mother's Day Mammograms® program;
the "Income Tax Check-off " program; the Keystone
Breast Cancer Conference, and a traveling photo
exhibit entitled "67 Women - 67 Counties: Facing
Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania." First Lady
Michele Ridge serves as Honorary Chair of the
PBCC.
Halpin -Murphy is also on the Corporate Board
for Pennsylvania Blue Shield and an Advocate
Member representing breast cancer survivors on
the Board of Directors for the NSABP (National
Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project.)
She and her husband live in Montgomery County. |
