Embassy News

U.S. Supports Breast Cancer Awareness and Research in Hungary

Chain Bridge Walk. From left: Ambassador Walker, Éva Körtvélyes of the Health Alliance, former Ambassador Brinker, and Dr. Klára Dobrev and Ferenc Gyurcsány with their children.

On October 2, 2005, Ambassador George H. Walker, along with Minister of Health Rácz, the Prime Minister's wife, Dr. Klára Dobrev, and former Ambassador to Hungary, Nancy G. Brinker, led the 4th annual Walk across Budapest's Chain Bridge as part of a campaign to raise awareness of early screening against breast cancer and to raise funds for cancer research.

Breast cancer is one of the top causes of death for women in Hungary, claiming the lives of 2,316 women in 2004 alone. At the initiative of the former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary, Nancy Goodman Brinker, an alliance of five civilian organizations was established in 2002 to fight the life-threatening disease and to increase awareness among Hungarian women that early diagnosis is critical to successfully overcoming the illness. In addition to the U.S. Embassy, the government of Hungary and major multinational companies also support the group, called the "Bridge of Health Alliance."  Since its inception, breast cancer has dropped from first place as the cause of death for Hungarian women, to third place - principally because awareness has been raised that early screening can help in early diagnosis and thus save lives.
 
This year the government of Hungary launched a National Program Against Cancer to include a national screening program in the framework of its Hundred Steps Program. To reach the goal of diminishing the number of deaths from breast cancer within five years by ten percent, this year under the patronage of the Hungarian Prime Minister's wife, the Bridge of Health Alliance organized a broader awareness campaign. The aim of the campaign is to convince Hungarian society that cancer detected in an early stage is curable, and thereby encourage participation in the screening program.

Beyond the Bridge Walk, which is the centerpiece of Hungary's breast cancer awareness campaign, the U.S. Embassy participated in several other events. On September 6, patrons of the Alliance and other prominent guests introduced a pink wristband, this year's symbol of the Bridge of Health program, with the motto "Alliance for Health, Against Breast Cancer." Through the purchase of the bracelet, which has been prominently displayed by well-known Hungarians in politics, the arts, business and the media, and even sold in Parliament on September 26, everyone can support the goals of the organization. 

As one of the results of the January 2005 Hungarian-American Memorandum of Understanding on Health and Medical Sciences between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Hungary, the Hungarian Post Office received permission from the U.S. Postal Service to issue a surcharged postage stamp modeled after the U.S. breast cancer stamp. According to the agreement, the Hungarian Post will transfer the surcharges received from the sale of the "Fight Against Breast Cancer" stamp (Fts 50 per stamp) to a separate account of the National Oncology Institute, and the amount will be spent on cancer research.

The Bridge Walk of October 2 followed a symposium on the goals of the Hungarian prevention program and cancer research and attracted the largest participation ever.  Estimates are that 4,000 people -- ordinary citizens and prominent guests -- joined together in a symbolic walk across the Chain Bridge, magically illuminated in pink by General Electric, one of the leading American sponsors of the event. The solidarity of the Walk and the subsequent music program drew enormous media coverage, spreading the important message about early screening and cancer prevention to audiences throughout Hungary.

At all the various events preceding the walk, Ambassador Walker expressed U.S. support for the Hungarian endeavors and praised the powerful work of all the volunteers and participants of the campaign.  He emphasized that joining forces in the fight against breast cancer, like the Men's Health Initiative that he began in June 2004, is another important example of U.S.-Hungarian cooperation in an area of significance to both countries. 

More information on the Bridge of Health Alliance