The Gynecologic Cancer Education Awareness Act of 2003 - Johanna's Law

In September of 2002, after the publication of GCF's Washington Post supplement, our supplement editor and 2003 GCF Public Service Award Winner, Sheryl Silver, contacted GCF Headquarters to discuss a legislative initiative related to gynecologic cancer awareness that she intended to pursue. Through her fierce determination, this bill has become a reality and named by Congressman Sandy Levin (D-MI) as "Johanna's Law" in honor of Sheryl's sister, Johanna Silver Gordon, who lost her battle with ovarian cancer in 2000. Johanna's Law would serve two purposes. The bill would create a program to develop and place Public Service Announcements encouraging women to talk to their doctors about their risk for gynecological cancers. It would also award grants to local and national non-profit organizations to test different outreach and education strategies, including strategies directed at physicians, families and women.

GCF is grateful to Sheryl and to the SGO Government Relations Committee for their efforts relative to this important legislation.