Badge of Courage

By Liz Wing on 03/25/2009 @ 02:30 PM

Every now and then you are completely blown away by the courage and tenacity of a brave woman. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is one of those women. Rated the 24th Most Powerful member of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2008 Congress.org Power Rankings, passing important legislation protecting our children, and making countless appearances on news programs, at age 42 she has become a powerful force.

This week she released the startling news that last year she battled breast cancer, going through seven surgeries, including a double mastectomy and the removal of her ovaries, all while running for re-election, campaigning on behalf of Hillary Clinton, then, later Barack Obama and raising 3 children.

Wasserman Schultz is sponsoring legislation to help educate young women about the risk of breast cancer. The EARLY (Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young) Act is meant to bring education and awareness to young women and their doctors. "The EARLY Act will teach both young women and medical professionals alike about risk factors, warning signs of breast cancer and predictive tools such as genetic testing that can help women make informed decisions about their health" said Wasserman Schultz.

The EARLY Act is sponsored by Wasserman Schultz and co-sponsored by House Rep. Sue Myrick, a North Carolina Republican and breast cancer survivor, with Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, as the Senate Sponsor. The bill seeks $9 million annually to help educate federal agencies, physicians and young women about the importance of early detection in women under the age of 40.

In a statement on her congressional website, Wasserman Schultz says “I didn't find my tumor early because of luck. I found my tumor early because of knowledge and awareness. I knew that I should perform breast self-exams, and I was aware of what my body was supposed to feel like. We need to ensure that every young woman in America can rely on more than luck. Their survival depends on it."

A wakeup call to thirty-something’s and twenty-something’s like myself that self-breast exams are essential, and can be life saving. Wasserman Schultz pointed out the unique challenges young women face: loss of fertility, inability to breastfeed, and a longer lifetime to live as a survivor than those diagnosed later in life. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in young women under the age of 40. As a young woman, this is startling news, but I find comfort in knowing that I have a strong advocate in this scary fight.

Below is a video of her first interview with the press since her announcement about her battle. She appeared on Good Morning America on Monday to tell her story. It is very moving – check it out!

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