Assembly Resolution No. 591

BY: M. of A. Jean-Pierre

COMMENDING First Company Pink upon the occasion of
hosting its 6th Annual Luncheon on June 6, 2017, and
recognizing the determined and unwavering efforts of
its co-founders who strive to increase breast cancer
awareness

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to increase awareness of issues that
affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend First Company Pink upon the occasion of hosting its 6th Annual
Luncheon, and to recognize the determined and unwavering efforts of its
co-founders who strive to increase breast cancer awareness as well as to
ensure that all women get checked for breast cancer; and

WHEREAS, First Company Pink is the sponsor of Got Checked Day, a
vital, lifesaving campaign meant to educate and inspire youth to seek
change, through breast-health interactive workshops and an array of
valuable initiatives educating our young women about their breast cancer
risks, allowing them to discover the lifesaving power of intervention
and lead them to early detection; and

WHEREAS, First Company Pink is an independent not-for-profit
organization founded in April of 2010, by Donna Cioffi, as a selfless
act of courage, following her own personal battle with breast cancer;
she, along with others close to her, have experienced firsthand what it
is like to be on the frontline of the battlefield; these passionate
women work together to give every woman an equal lifesaving opportunity;
and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, First Company Pink has been
passionately committed to raising funds to support lifesaving breast
cancer research and promoting wellness and increasing public awareness;
through its partnership with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation,
First Company Pink strives to fund clinical and translational research,
seeking prevention before a cure is needed; and

WHEREAS, With a 2% yearly increase in metastatic breast cancer found
in young women and the fact that 1 in 227 women in the United States
will be diagnosed with breast cancer between the ages of 30 and 40, we
can no longer overlook this is now an epidemic; and

WHEREAS, In 2015, Linda Bonanno, a fellow survivor, joined forces
with Donna Cioffi as co-Founder, Partner, and Creative Director to form
the Got Checked Campaign; and

WHEREAS, Through the Got Checked Campaign, Interactive Breast Health
Workshops have been instituted in 16 Suffolk County school districts; in
addition, this vital movement is focused on revising the current
mammogram age recommendation, and advocating for a breast health mandate

for the State of New York and beyond, making it a permanent part of
young women's lives; and

WHEREAS, Through a fresh and current approach using tools such as
music, videos, and a new book entitled Decode Your Future, the Got
Checked Campaign has reached a new audience of young women, educating
them about their breasts and their risks for breast cancer; and

WHEREAS, In remembrance of the women who have lost their lives to
breast cancer, and in support of those who are currently fighting this
disease, it is appropriate to commend First Company Pink and its Got
Checked Day campaign in order to foster public awareness and
understanding of breast cancer and to encourage early detection and
prompt treatment; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend First Company Pink upon the occasion of hosting its 6th Annual
Luncheon on June 6, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Linda Bonanno and Donna Cioffi, co-Founders, Got Checked
Campaign.