Blog: Breast Cancer Affects Everyone

Statement

As a research scientist, my wife's death added more fuel to my fire to study the triggers of some our deadliest diseases, including breast cancer. Her death, of pancreatitis, had a profound impact on everyone who knew her. It was tough times, but we pulled together.

We pulled together, just like our country comes together every October, for Breast Cancer Awareness month, when the American people come together to stand up for those afflicted by this disease that takes so many of our loved ones from our communities. And as a proud American, I couldn't be more proud of how our whole country pitches in to tackle this huge challenge that I also care so passionately about.

As a scientist, I also couldn't be more committed to educating children and adults on the science of disease, how it affects our families, and what we in the scientific community are doing to try and end some of these killers once and for all. After my wife passed away, I continued our research into disease triggers in samples of urine and saliva, so that a urine sample, much like you'd give your doctor on a visit, might sound the alarm before the disease gets a chance to take hold. With Linus Pauling, I published on the detection of breast cancer many years ago, and we've taken many steps since towards making breast cancer history. We're not there yet, but we're getting closer every day.

That's why I am excited to be part of Oregon State University's Puttin' on the Pink on October 1st, where I am wearing my pink to help raise awareness of the disease of breast cancer, here in Oregon. I'm attending an education panel on "Breast Cancer: Is it in my genes?' and speaking to anyone who will listen on the need for us all to step up to make breast cancer a thing of the past.

But awareness is not the same thing as action. Yes, education matters in asking women to check themselves before it is too late. But so too do we need donations towards scientists working on this issue, as well as a wider action plan to put all of this time and energy to the best possible use.

There are two points, as a Congressional candidate, that bear repeating if we are to do everything we can do. The first is that Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a great example of what happens when communities come together to solve our problems rather than leaving it to the government. We're a compassionate people, dedicated to those who are suffering, and we will do what we need to do to help the least amongst us. It's what Americans do. We don't need the Federal Government calling the shots on good research. We need our researchers free to look at this problem from every possible angle and then let the best research discover the best answer. Disease research, like so much else in policy matters, is best done with the bottom-up energy of engaged citizens, and not the dead hand of government bureaucracy.

Secondly, we need to inspire a new generation of young scientists to take on tomorrow's most challenging problems. That also means that we need to get the government out of the way and let teachers inspire students again, just like the men and women who inspired me to become a scientist were free to tailor their passion and knowledge to my curiosity. The cure for the Common Core is letting teachers be free to know their classrooms and teach accordingly. Students don't dream of taking tests and being boiled down to statistics. They dream of solving problems and then finding mentors who will guide their passions towards solving even bigger problems.

So thank you to the men and women joining me in taking on the challenge of my lifetime. I can't thank you all enough for everything you do for this cause.

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