SENATE MEMORIAL 15

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

INTRODUCED BY

Jacob R. Candelaria

A MEMORIAL

HONORING CANCER PATIENTS, SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND REMEMBERING THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN LOST TO CANCER; DECLARING JANUARY 26, 2015 "COACHES VERSUS CANCER AND SUITS AND SNEAKERS DAY" IN THE SENATE.

     WHEREAS, the coaches versus cancer program is a nationwide collaboration between the American cancer society and the national association of basketball coaches, leveraging the personal experiences, community leadership and professional excellence of coaches nationwide to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities and advocacy programs; and

     WHEREAS, the American cancer society saves lives and creates a world with more birthdays by helping people stay well, helping people get well, finding cures and fighting back, in partnership with its nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, the American cancer society cancer action network; and

     WHEREAS, more than ten thousand New Mexicans were newly diagnosed with cancer in 2014; and

     WHEREAS, cancer patients face countless challenges associated with their diagnoses, including physical, emotional, financial and day-to-day challenges; and

     WHEREAS, since 1993, coaches and their supporters have raised more than eighty-seven million dollars ($87,000,000) for the American cancer society to help make the American cancer society's services and programs available to those who need them most; and

     WHEREAS, the coaches versus cancer and suits and sneakers awareness nationwide effort unites coaches across the country to wear sneakers with their game attire while coaching games during the week of January 19, 2015 through January 25, 2015 and encourages lawmakers and others to similarly wear suits and sneakers to raise awareness about the fight against cancer, to share the importance of nutrition and physical activity in reducing one's cancer risk and to promote the American cancer society as a place for help and support; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico coaches have joined together with coaches nationwide, as well as with thousands of volunteers for the American cancer society and the American cancer society cancer action network, to advocate on behalf of cancer patients, survivors and caregivers so that one day cancer will be eliminated as a major public health issue;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that cancer patients, cancer survivors and their families be honored and that those people who have been lost to cancer be remembered; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that January 26, 2015 be declared "Coaches Versus Cancer and Suits and Sneakers Day" in the senate; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor and to each member of the senate of the state of New Mexico.

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