Governor Baldacci Proclaims November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Governor Baldacci Proclaims November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Governor John E. Baldacci has proclaimed the month of November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month throughout the State of Maine. The Governor issued the proclamation during a ceremony held Wednesday morning in the Hall of Flags at the State House in Augusta.
"We know that we have made great strides," said Governor Baldacci. "We're dramatically cut the exposure to second-hand smoke and we have worked to reduce teenage smoking by fifty percent."
Joining Governor Baldacci at the ceremony were lung cancer survivors and their family members. Eileen Lewis and Debbie Violette, both lung cancer survivors, spoke at the event.
"As a result of my experience with this disease, I realized that more must be done to help Maine citizens," said Debbie Violette, an eight-year survivor of Stage III-A non-small cell lung cancer. "I set out to look for ways that I could help others inflicted by lung cancer."
According to the American Cancer Society, 1030 Maine citizens will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year and 960 of those diagnosed will die from the disease. Governor Baldacci said that he is proud of Maine's progress, but realizes there is still work to be done.
"We have a long way to go, but Maine is leading the way," said the Governor. "We see it in the reduction of tobacco use, to making prescription drugs more affordable for more Maine people, and now with Dirigo Health, to improve healthcare delivery and accessibility while holding down rising health care costs."
Governor Baldacci issued the proclamation for Lung Cancer Awareness Month during the ceremony. The text of the proclamation follows:
WHEREAS, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States and the world; and
WHEREAS, Maine has one of the highest lung cancer rates in the Nation; and
WHEREAS, former smokers and people who have never smoked comprise 60% of the new cases of lung cancer; and
WHEREAS, there remains a great need for a standard screening for lung cancer, and for additional funding for lung cancer medical research,
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN E. BALDACCI, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim November, 2006 as
LUNG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
throughout the State of Maine, and urge all citizens to do all they can to increase awareness of lung cancer issues, and offer compassion to people with lung cancer.
In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this twenty-fifth day of August in the Year of our Lord Two Thousand and Six.
John E. Baldacci Governor
Matthew Dunlap Secretary of State
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