LAWMAKERS TEAM UP TO PUSH PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS
By Gintautas Dumcius
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, APRIL 15, 2015…..The House and Senate may be at odds over rules that cover the flow of legislation, but lawmakers from both branches are in agreement for more awareness of early detection of prostate cancer.
Joined by Gov. Charlie Baker, House and Senate legislators from both parties appear in a video that’s being released Wednesday, a day before the seventh annual Prostate Cancer Awareness Day. Beacon Hill leaders are expected to attend Prostate Cancer Awareness Day event in the Great Hall at 2 p.m. on Thursday.
The two-minute video made by the non-profit AdMeTech Foundation — it stands for Advancement of Medical Technologies — features lawmakers highlighting the fact that prostate cancer is curable when detected early.
Rep. Stephen Kulik (D-Worthington) said he is prostate cancer-free because his cancer was detected and treated early.
“As Democrats and Republicans we don’t always agree on everything,” said Sen. Karen Spilka (D-Ashland), chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
“But we do agree on this,” said Rep. Brad Jones, the House minority leader and a North Reading Republican.
“Prostate cancer affects one in seven men in countless families,” said Rep. Ron Mariano, the House majority leader and a Quincy Democrat.
“Prostate cancer is more common and more lethal amongst men of color,” added Rep. Russell Holmes (D-Mattapan).
“Tell your loved ones that prostate cancer screening saves lives,” Baker said.
Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) and Sen. Harriette Chandler (D-Worcester) and Reps. Jeffrey Sanchez (D-Jamaica Plain) and Benjamin Swan (D-Springfield) also appear in the video.
The AdMeTech Foundation made a similar video during the 2014 gubernatorial campaign that featured the candidates for governor.
The 2015 video is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
END
04/15/2015
