Gold Ribbon Days 2005

The 5th Annual Gold Ribbon Days Celebration a Tremendous Success

CureSearch was proud to welcome more than 300 childhood cancer patients, families, health professionals and advocates from 31 states to Washington D.C. for our 5th Annual CureSearch Gold Ribbon Days from June 13-15, 2005. Thank you to all of our attendees who made this year’s event the largest turnout in its history to elevate childhood cancer to national public policy priority!

Wearing green REACH THE DAY wristbands and t-shirts featuring artwork of a mother and baby skunk and the slogan “Childhood Cancer Stinks,” Gold Ribbon Days advocates visited more than 200 members of Congress and their staff. They shared stories of hope and stories of heartbreak to convey the urgent need for more federal funding to support lifesaving childhood cancer research. One Gold Ribbon Days advocate even came wearing her crown, Miss America 2005, Deidre Downs.

Back at the event hotel headquarters—parents, survivors and siblings of children with cancer gave moving speeches about their journeys with childhood cancer and multiple members of Congress came to honor the advocates’ courage and fighting spirit including Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX).

To close Gold Ribbon Days, CureSearch hosted a Congressional Reception to honor Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-OH) for her dedication to increasing federal funds for childhood cancer research in memory of her daughter Caroline. Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), a sibling of a childhood cancer survivor, also was lauded at the Reception. Bob DuPuy, President and Chief Operating Officer of Major League Baseball took to the stage to commend the evening’s honorees.