First Annual Congressional Women's Softball Game to Benefit the Young Survival Coalition

WASHINGTON, July 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Women lawmakers will participate in the first Congressional Women's Softball Game, a bi-partisan and bi-cameral event, to be held on Tuesday, July 14 at Guy Mason Field. The first pitch will be thrown at 7:35 pm. Proceeds from the game will help the Young Survival Coalition (YSC) continue its fight to educate and support young women living with breast cancer.

Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle and Capitol, including Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), will be competing against Democratic and Republican political committee staff from the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Republican National Committee (RNC), Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).

"I can't tell you how appreciative we are that the women of both the House and Senate recognize the importance of education and support for young women with breast cancer," said Marcia Stein, chief executive officer, YSC. "More than 28,000 women under the age of 45 will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Initiatives like the congressional women's softball game will enable YSC to continue to touch thousands of lives and be there for women who need us."

Organizer of the event, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Shultz, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year at the age of 41. Wasserman Shultz recently introduced the EARLY (Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young) Act to Congress, legislation which seeks nine million dollars annually from 2010 to 2014 to educate the public, particularly young women and their doctors, about the need for a much earlier approach to breast cancer detection.

The legislation would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to begin educational campaigns in high schools and universities. It has a particular focus on ethnic minorities such as young African American and Jewish women, who are at higher genetic risk.

The free event is open to the public and Congressional Federal Credit Union is a sponsor. Donations and sponsorships are encouraged. The following members of Congress will participate in the softball game:

MEMBERS: Rep. Shelly Berkley; Rep Shelley Moore Capito; Rep. Kathy Castor; Sen. Susan Collins (Captain); Rep. Susan Davis; Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper; Rep. Donna Edwards; Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (Captain); Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (Captain); Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick; Rep. Betsy Markey; Rep. Betty McCollum; Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers; Rep. Grace Napolitano; Rep. Laura Richardson; Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen; Rep. Jean Schmidt; Rep. Betty Sutton; Rep. Nydia Velazquez; Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Captain).

DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN COMMITTEES: Sarah Bard, DNC; Sindy Benavides, DNC; Johanna Berkson, DCCC; Erika Brees, DNC; Natalie Buchanan, NRCC (Co-Captain); Sabrina Caprioli, DNC; Emily Charlap, DCCC; Brynne Craig, DNC; Jennifer Crider, DCCC; Grace Cushing, RNC; Lauren Dikis, DCCC; Tiffany Dinneen, NRSC; Katie Dvorak, DNC (Co-Captain); Jessica Furst, NRCC; Gaye Galvin, RNC (Co-Captain); Maya Goines, DNC; Amy Grangeia, RNC; Krista Haagenstad, DCCC; Ann Marie Habershaw, DNC; Suzanne Healy, RNC; Allison Jaslow, DNC; Lyndsey Johnson, NRCC; Amie Kershner, DCCC; Missy Kurek, DCCC; Nicole Landset, DCCC; Diana Leo, RNC; Christie Lombardi, DCCC; Paola Luisi, DNC; Amber Lyons, RNC; Tori Maguire, RNC; Kitty Marcucci, DCCC; Rebecca Mark, NRCC; Cara Mason, NRSC; Katie Nee, DCCC; Katerie Nelis, DNC; Jen O'Malley Dillon, DNC; Jennifer Pihlaja, DCCC; Kelly Polce, DCCC; Casey Redmon, DCCC; Jessica Santillo, DCCC; Jenny Sheffield, NRCC; Roz Skozen, DNC; Jacquie Vanderslice, RNC; Stephanie Young, DCCC (Co-Captain).

About the Young Survival Coalition

Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is the premier international organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women and breast cancer. YSC works with survivors, caregivers and the medical, research, advocacy and legislative communities to increase the quality and quantity of life for women diagnosed with breast cancer ages 40 and under. YSC currently maintains 24 affiliates in the United States and provides services to more than 30,000 women annually. For more information, visit www.youngsurvival.org or call 877-YSC-1011.

SOURCE Young Survival Coalition

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http://www.youngsurvival.org/