DeLauro Applauds Reauthorization of Johanna's Law

Washington, DC— Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) celebrated passage of the Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act of 2010, also known as Johanna's Law, which will reauthorize a national education campaign, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to increase the awareness and knowledge of health care providers and women about gynecological cancers.

Named for Johanna Silver Gordon, a public school teacher who died after being diagnosed with late stage ovarian cancer, Johanna's Law was first passed in 2006. This legislation was proposed by her sister, Sheryl Silver, to help raise awareness about the disease and educate woman and their health care providers about its symptoms, clinical signs, and risk factors.

"Better awareness is one of the most critical tools in fighting these diseases, a fact I know firsthand. 24 years ago, I diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I was one of the lucky ones, and had excellent doctors who detected the cancer by chance in Stage 1. I underwent radiation treatment for two-and-a-half months, and I am fortunate to say that I have been cancer-free ever since. But I know that, had my doctors not caught my cancer at its earliest stage, the final outcome might have been very, very different," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "No one should have to depend on luck, and this bill help will to educate women, raise awareness of health care providers, and ultimately, save lives."