Virginia Governor Ralph S. Northam

WHEREAS, the health and safety of all Virginians is important to the happiness, prosperity, and well-being of our Commonwealth’s families and communities; and

WHEREAS, in 2018, more than 13,000 people were diagnosed with cervical cancer nationwide, and more than 4,000 died from the disease; and

WHEREAS, regular cervical cancer screening tests are an effective way to detect the disease early, when it can still be successfully treated; and

WHEREAS, cervical cancer vaccines are now widely available, and combined with regular screenings, they provide an effective means of preventing the disease; and

WHEREAS, in the past 40 years, the number of cases and deaths from cervical cancer decreased significantly; and

WHEREAS, each case of cervical cancer is a tragedy that devastates patients and their loved ones; and

WHEREAS, increasing awareness of prevention and detection techniques among patients and health care providers is a key component in cervical health; and

WHEREAS, throughout the month of January, organizations and healthcare practitioners are encouraged to promote awareness about cervical cancer and to support patients currently battling cervical cancer and those who have lost loved ones to this disease;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ralph S. Northam, do hereby recognize January 2019 as NATIONAL CERVICAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.