Legislative Women's Caucus Recognizes Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month

In a poignant session on the Senate floor, California lawmakers gathered to address pressing health issues, marking September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and recognizing October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The discussions were not just legislative formalities; they were heartfelt appeals from senators who shared personal stories and statistics that underscored the urgency of these issues.

Senator Valadares opened the session with a powerful presentation of Senate Resolution 56, emphasizing the devastating impact of ovarian cancer. As an OB-GYN, she highlighted that this disease is the deadliest gynecologic cancer, with nearly 21,000 women expected to be diagnosed this year alone. Tragically, over 12,000 will not survive. The senator stressed the importance of early detection, noting that only 20% of cases are found in the early stages when survival rates are significantly higher. She urged the public to listen to their bodies and seek medical care for persistent symptoms, as many women often dismiss early warning signs. Valadares concluded with a call to action, asking for renewed commitment to support survivors and advance research.

Following this, Senator Valadares introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 104, which recognizes October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. She spoke passionately about the prevalence of intimate partner violence, affecting approximately 35% of women and 31% of men in California. The resolution aims to honor survivors and recommit to breaking the cycle of violence, emphasizing the state's leadership in supporting survivors through shelters and legal protections.

Senator Rubio then took the floor to present Senate Resolution 60, which honors the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Sharing her own experience as a victim of domestic violence, she painted a stark picture of the ongoing crisis, revealing that femicide rates are rising globally. Rubio's emotional testimony highlighted the urgent need for unity and action to protect women from violence, urging her colleagues to raise their voices against this pervasive issue.

The session also included a discussion on Senate Resolution 62, presented by Senator Valadares, which commemorates November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Drawing from her personal experience caring for her mother, who battled pancreatic cancer, she underscored the disparities in healthcare access and the urgent need for awareness and advocacy. With a survival rate of only 13%, Valadares called for a collective push for better detection and equitable care for all families facing this devastating diagnosis.

As the session concluded, the senators' heartfelt appeals resonated throughout the chamber, reminding all present of the profound human cost associated with these diseases and the critical need for continued advocacy and support. The resolutions passed with overwhelming support, reflecting a unified commitment to raising awareness and improving outcomes for those affected by ovarian cancer, domestic violence, and pancreatic cancer.