Frankfort, KY:   In its eighth year, “Celebration of Hope” will be held on Monday, May 2, 2005, starting at 1:30 p.m. (EST) at the Governor’s Mansion in honor of breast cancer survivors across the Commonwealth. 

“Celebration of Hope is a time to meet many remarkable women from across the state and celebrate their courageous battle against breast cancer,” said Mrs. Fletcher.

Last year more than 2,500 invitations were sent to women whose names are maintained in the Commonwealth’s only know breast cancer survivor database. Anyone wishing to add a name to the database should contact Mary Sharfe by email at mary.sharfe@ky.gov or by phone at 502-564-4890.

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in Kentucky’s women.  It’s estimated that over 3,200 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in the Commonwealth and over 600 will die from this disease—this year alone.  Half the women in Kentucky diagnosed with breast cancer are age 65 or older. 

Celebration of Hope was first initiated in 1996 in tribute to Kentucky’s breast cancer survivors. As a breast cancer survivor, First Lady Judi Patton started this event to not only bring awareness to Kentucky’s women but to celebrate survivorship.

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