HOUSE MEMORIAL 80

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Deborah A. Armstrong

A MEMORIAL

PROCLAIMING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015, "GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER AWARENESS PROJECT DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; RECOGNIZING THE IMPACT OF GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER ON NEW MEXICANS AND THE WORK OF THE GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER AWARENESS PROJECT IN ADDRESSING THE NEED FOR GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER SERVICES, SUPPORT AND EDUCATION.

     WHEREAS, this year, approximately three hundred New Mexico women will be diagnosed with a gynecological cancer; and

     WHEREAS, there are currently two thousand five hundred women living with gynecological cancer in New Mexico, some of whom are in active treatment and some of whom are in active remission; and

     WHEREAS, gynecological cancers include cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, uterine cancer and other cancers that originate in the female reproductive system; and

     WHEREAS, cervical cancer is the only human cancer that is seventy-five percent preventable through the human papillomavirus vaccine; and

     WHEREAS, increasing the human papillomavirus vaccination rate is one the most profound interventions possible for cancer prevention; and

     WHEREAS, according to the federal centers for disease control and prevention, increasing human papillomavirus vaccination rates from current levels to eighty percent would prevent an additional fifty-three thousand future cervical cancer cases among girls who are now twelve years old or younger; and

     WHEREAS, there is only one organization in the region that provides support services and education specifically for women with gynecological cancers, the gynecological cancer awareness project; and

     WHEREAS, the mission of the gynecological cancer awareness project is "to empower women who are fighting gynecological cancer by providing education and support — helping them to live a healthy and inspired life"; and

     WHEREAS, the gynecological cancer awareness project provides services to any woman who is being treated for gynecological cancer in New Mexico, regardless of the treating practitioner or community of origin; and

     WHEREAS, the gynecological cancer awareness project, headquartered in Albuquerque, was founded in 2010 by oncology nurse Amy Gundelach; and

     WHEREAS, the highly regarded gynecological oncology surgeon and oncologist Luis Padilla Paz serves as the gynecological cancer awareness project's medical consultant and strongly supports the gynecological cancer awareness project, ensuring that it provides evidence-based and culturally appropriate medical support; and

     WHEREAS, through the generosity of a giving community, the gynecological cancer awareness project supports women with evidence-based education, the circles of hope monthly support group for women and their caregivers, a specialized lending library and direct aid for nonmedical treatment expenses; and

     WHEREAS, the gynecological cancer awareness project provides guided referral and patient navigation to supplemental resources such as food banks, support services and other cancer survivor resources; and

     WHEREAS, the gynecological cancer awareness project has provided professional education about cervical cancer and the human papillomavirus vaccine to more than four hundred primary care physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants in an effort to increase the rate of human papillomavirus vaccination in New Mexico;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Tuesday, February 24, 2015, be proclaimed "Gynecological Cancer Awareness Project Day" in the house of representatives and that the gynecological cancer awareness project be recognized for its compassionate and exemplary work to provide services, support and education to women who are living with gynecological cancer; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the gynecological cancer awareness project be recognized for its work in preventing cervical cancer by helping to educate New Mexicans and providing access to human papillomavirus vaccinations statewide; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the work of the gynecological cancer awareness project be recognized for its collaboration with public and private agencies to address health disparities in the state; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the executive director of the gynecological cancer awareness project.

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