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Recognizing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and honoring Traci’s Beautiful Inside and Out, a non-profit breast cancer support organization whose mission is to help survivors maintain a level of normalcy.
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WHEREAS, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer; and
WHEREAS, Breast Cancer Awareness Month was founded in 1985 in October; its aim from the start has been to promote mammography as the most effective weapon in the fight against breast cancer; and
WHEREAS, Each year in the United States, more than 240,000 women get breast cancer and more than 40,000 women die from the disease. Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. Getting mammograms regularly can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer; and
WHEREAS, Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older, but breast cancer also affects younger women. About 10% of all new cases of breast cancer in the United States are found in women younger than 45 years of age. Men also get breast cancer, but it is not very common; and
WHEREAS, When breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 100%. Early detection includes doing monthly breast self-exams, and scheduling regular clinical breast exams and mammograms; and
WHEREAS, In Philadelphia, Traci Smith is a breast cancer survivor who is also a mother, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who was born and raised in West Oak Lane. She was educated in the School District of Philadelphia and received her high school diploma from Franklin Learning Center; and
WHEREAS, In 2013, Traci received the devastating news from her doctor that she had breast cancer. Traci chose not to see this as a negative, but rather she faced it positively. Every time she went to chemotherapy, she received rave reviews on her personal appearance. She lived her life with the affirmation that “I am BEAUTIFUL both inside and out,” regardless of the loss of her hair, nails, and eyelashes; and
WHEREAS; After a year of helping others to feel as good as she felt, Traci founded Traci’s Beautiful Inside and Out (Traci’s BIO) in 2014 with her best friend and business partner Phyllis Young. The mission of the Organization is to help women who are battling cancer maintain a level of normalcy while going through an abnormal process; and
WHEREAS, Traci’s BIO is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to supporting the breast cancer survivor community. Its mission is to provide help and inspire hope to those affected by breast cancer through beautification, education, and support services. The Organization provides women with services and resources to assist them with the life-changing experience of breast cancer, while providing them with a sisterhood to help them not only survive but thrive while tapping into one’s inner strength; and
WHEREAS, Traci’s BIO celebrates life, and to date, she has served over 25 women with photo shoots, hair and make-up make-overs, and more. This is only the beginning for Traci, as she has more life to live and more to give; and
WHEREAS, Traci also founded Each One Teach One Childcare Learning Center in 2002 with her business partner Ms. Young. Today, there are five of these centers and one Christian academy spread throughout the Philadelphia Area, serving West Philadelphia, Germantown, Darby, and Southwest Philadelphia. Traci and Ms. Young serve 350 young scholars each school year and up to 500 each summer; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and honors Traci’s Beautiful Inside and Out, a non-profit breast cancer support organization whose mission is to help survivors maintain a level of normalcy.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Traci’s BIO as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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