RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 5, 2023
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RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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WHEREAS, breast cancer is defined as the growth of abnormal cells that originate in the breast tissue of the body. Once the development of the abnormal cells progresses into a tumor, the cells then proceed to invade healthy cells in the breast. If undetected, breast cancer can spread throughout the body, causing metastasis of the cancer; and
WHEREAS, beginning in 1985, October became recognized as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month to encourage women to be mindful of their health and to get yearly health exams, including mammograms. Since then, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month has become an annual worldwide campaign to educate people regarding the disease and to raise funding to support breast cancer research; and
WHEREAS, while there is no known cure for breast cancer, research has led to the creation of numerous innovative testing methods and antibody treatments that not only lead to better detection but also enable women diagnosed with breast cancer to live longer and healthier lives; and
WHEREAS, in the United States, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. For some, the disease is genetic. For many others, there is no known cause. Breast cancer is an unfortunate, unpredictable, and life-changing diagnosis. Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis for American women and the second leading cause of death. The rate of diagnosis for breast cancer increases .5% each year; and
WHEREAS, although generally recognized as being a disease that affects women, it is a little-known fact that men are also diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2023, approximately 2,800 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 530 men will perish from the disease; and
WHEREAS, while breast cancer is most often diagnosed in women aged 50 and older, it does not discriminate. Approximately 11% of the women currently diagnosed with breast cancer are under the age of 45 and that number is continuing to rise; and
WHEREAS, while the incidence rate of breast cancer has been on the rise, so too is the survival rate. It is estimated that each year since 2013, the survival rate has increased by 1%. This is attributed to early detection, increased awareness, and advances in treatment options; and
WHEREAS, in the United States, more than 700 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day. It is estimated that in 2023, approximately 353,510 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 43,700 women will succumb to the disease. There are currently more than 4 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and our staff, do hereby recognize National Breast Cancer Awareness Month; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.
Dated: October 5, 2023