Miss America 2002

Katie Harman

Visits

Comprehensive Breast Center

Miss America 2002, Katie Harman, visited the Comprehensive Breast Center at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on 21 August 2002. The visit was the initiative of Mrs. Lydia Cosumano, a breast cancer survivor and patient at the Comprehensive Breast Center. Miss America arrived at 1145 and was escorted on a tour of the center by COL Craig D. Shriver, Director and Principal Investigator of the CBCP and Chief, General Surgery Service. Throughout the tour, Ms. Harman greeted patients and staff that had assembled. She was especially interested in meeting patients and talking to them. Her caring manner and positive encouragement to the patients was well received.

Upon completion of the tour Miss America had a very lively lunch with the patients and staff. COL Shriver briefed Ms. Harman on the project and its emphasis on patient care, focused research, tissue banking, risk reduction and bio-informatics. It was noted the since the opening of the center (31 July 2001) over 5000 patients have been seen in the new facility and that over 1,500 samples have been made available for the research arm of the project.

Ms. Harman in her inspirational (impromptu) discussion with the group highlighted her reign as Miss America. Her Platform for the year was “Breast Cancer in America: Caring Community-by Community.”

“As Miss America 2002, I will use my influence to support women battling breast cancer, especially those who are struggling in the last days of their lives. I will support any program or initiative that conveys messages of hope, improves their quality of life and provides information, education and support to women who have been diagnosed.

Most importantly, I will speak to all women with breast cancer, asking them to help me be an effective spokesperson and advocate on their behalf. In return, I will give them my promise that I will add my voice to theirs while shining the Miss America spotlight on their needs, making their struggle a national health care priority.”

She travels over 20,000 miles a month, having been to almost every state in the nation—entering a new city every 24-48 hours. She has professed to make a difference in every place she visits. Her visit today definitely made a difference as seen in the gleaming eyes and bright smiles on the patients and staff of the breast center.

At the end of the visit, COL Shriver recognized Ms. Harman’s determination and tireless efforts in breast cancer awareness and patient advocacy by making her an Honorary Chairperson of the Clinical Breast Care Project. She accepted the challenge of being Dr. Shriver’s and the projects new boss, but would have to leave in our hands until her reign as Miss America ends.

Miss America’s true spirit came out when she was asked (though on a tight schedule) to take a few moments to visit the Pediatric Ward. She graciously accepted, taking her beaming smile and warm encouragement to a number of children facing cancer.

Currently, 26 Henry M. Jackson employees work directly for the Clinical Breast Care Project in the Washington, DC area. However, as noted by Mr. Art Hapner, Executive Director of the CBCP the entire headquarters staff and partnerships with other programs have played a great part in the success of this program.