Lansing - State leaders stood on the Capitol steps Tuesday afternoon to lend support for breast cancer fund-raising efforts.
Lee National Denim Day is an annual event by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation that encourages companies nationwide to gather employee donations for breast cancer research in exchange for wearing denim for a day. This year’s fund-raiser will be Oct. 5.
“They are organized and working hard, and I’m hoping that Lee National Denim Day will bring in quite a bit of funds across the country,” said state Rep. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, who attended the event.
Last year, more than $7 million was donated nationally on Denim Day.
Whitmer said Americans should pay attention to issues such as breast cancer research during difficult times in wake of the attacks in Washington and New York City.
“Hopefully, this will spur people to look toward things that we really can have control over, and that’s breast cancer, or any kind of treatment,” she said. “We can start to work together on that.”
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, was in Michigan meeting with district members about the terrorist attacks, but he decided to take time to meet with representatives from the foundation’s Lansing affiliate.
The Lansing area affiliate of the foundation started working with the national group in late April, and services Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties.
“It is so important that we continue on with our lives,” Rogers said. “There are so many things we can do to make America better, and fighting breast cancer was one of them.”
Rogers said the terrorist attacks were tragedies and the nation should mourn, but it needs to move forward by supporting efforts to find a cure for cancer.
“If we want to beat terrorism, we need to do it by getting up and sending our kids to school, by helping fight for a cure for cancer, and by doing the things that make America what it is,” she said. “That’s how we win.”
MSU women’s basketball head coach Joanne P. McCallie showed her support for cancer research, and a friend who was recently diagnosed.
“Breast cancer has affected the lives of so many,” she said. “There are so many stories to tell.”
McCallie said seeking funds for cancer research is more challenging than coaching.
“It’s more than what we do as coaches, it’s not just about Xs and Os and winning ballgames,” she said. “It’s about life.”
Christine Pearson, the president and founder of the foundation’s local affiliate, said the presence of leaders at the Capitol will help raise funds and awareness.
“This is going to make a huge impact by these people lending their faces, names and businesses to give it credibility,” she said.
