Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program®
FALL/ WINTER 2022
ACTIONS
WWW.CONGRESSIONALFAMILIES.ORG
29TH ANNUAL ACTION FOR CANCER AWARENESS AWARDS LUNCHEON HONORS LEADERS IN CANCER PREVENTION AWARENESS “We all have a spotlight, a unique sphere of influence,” Abby Blunt, spouse of Sen. Roy Blunt (Mo.), reminded the audience in the majestic Rayburn Room of the U.S. Capitol on September 21, 2022. “We should use that spotlight to talk about Back on the Books and encourage the scheduling of screenings.” That is exactly why Abby, along with tennis champion Chris Evert and “TODAY Show” co-host Hoda Kotb were selected as honorees for the 29th Annual Action for Cancer Awareness Awards Luncheon. Recognized for Congressional Families Leadership, Excellence in Cancer Awareness and Distinguished Service in Journalism, respectively, each of these women has used her platform to share her personal story and inspire her audience to get screened for cancer. The Congressional Families Program’s signature event returned in-person for the first time since 2019 with a “Back on the Books” theme and reminder to schedule your routine screening appointments. Discovery ID’s Paula Zahn, whose family has been directly impacted by cancer, returned as emcee, a role she has played for most of the previous 28 years. Executive Council members Rep. Debbie Dingell (Mich.) and LeeAnn Johnson, spouse of Rep. Bill Johnson (Ohio), joined Advisory Committee member Mary Himes,
Front Row: L to R: Abby Blunt (Mo.), Chris Evert, Paula Zahn Back Row: L to R: Carolyn “Bo” Aldigé, LeeAnn Johnson (Ohio), Lisa McGovern, Mary Himes (Conn.)
spouse of Rep. Jim Himes (Conn.), in presenting the prestigious awards. The program featured remarks by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congressional Families Program Executive Director Lisa McGovern, and Prevent Cancer Foundation Founder Carolyn “Bo” Aldigé and President and Chief Operating Officer Jody Hoyos. Abby shared how cancer has closely impacted her family and why she has been active in the Congressional Families Program as a member of
the Executive Council and Advisory Board for many years. She and Sen. Blunt recently filmed a video for our “Congressional Families: Voices for Cancer Prevention” series, encouraging people to get their routine cancer screenings scheduled. Although Hoda Kotb was ultimately unable to join us in person, she felt very much in the room with her warm personality jumping off the screen as she shared her acceptance by video. (continued on page 3)
INSIDE COMMUNITY GRANT SITE VISITS VOICES FOR CANCER PREVENTION WHITE HOUSE HUNGER CONFERENCE
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