Hadassah and Joe Lieberman (archives)
Photo: Reuters
Working to find a cure a 'cooperative effort'
Photo: Index Open
Hadassah Lieberman on Race for Cure
Senator Joseph Lieberman's wife talks to Ynetnews about upcoming Breast Cancer awareness campaign in Jerusalem, garnering support and controversy around her role
After US Senator Joseph Lieberman's last campaign ended, his wife Hadassah wanted to become involved again with women's health issues. She had previously worked with women and heart disease and currently also serves as an Honorary Board Member for the Society for Women's Health Research.
Lieberman was enthusiastic to take part in the initiative and became one of the many celebrity spokeswomen, joining such names as comedian Ellen Degeneres and "Sex and the City" actress Cynthia Nixon.
At a cocktail party, Lieberman met Nancy Brinker, founder and CEO of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation and discussed the launch of the Foundation's Global Initiative – a project put into motion to expand the reach of breast cancer awareness.
Victory March
Jerusalem selected to host Komen Race for the Cure event on October 28 with participants from all over country, worldwide
The Global Initiative aims to "address gaps in breast health awareness and education" vis-à-vis community projects, advocacy and volunteerism. As part of the Initiative, participants will partake in the Race for the Cure - a 5 kilometer run/fitness walk to raise money for breast cancer research.
Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece and Belgium are a few of the 11 countries involved in the Race outside of the United States.
In partnership with Hadassah and the WZOA, the Race for the Cure is launching in Israel. The walk/run will take place on October 28 outside the Old City walls in Jerusalem, starting at Sacher Park and ending below the Jaffa Gate.
Jerusalem was chosen as the site of the race for its symbolic significance as Israel's capital city. "Every time I tell someone I'm going to do (the race) in Jerusalem, I get so many smiles," Lieberman told Ynetnew.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat assisted with mapping out the race route and will be participating in the race. Lieberman is working tirelessly to gain awareness and support for the event in Israel. Recently, the New York board of Rabbis offered their sponsorship and signed on for a "running rabbis" race, she said.
'Israel a key player in cancer research'
Lieberman's new role, however, is not free of controversy. Some of her previous employers include such former and current pharmaceutical industry mavens as Hoffman – La Roche, Pfizer, and APCO Associates – a global public relations firm that represents several drug companies.Her affiliation with these pharmaceutical companies has led some critics to petition for Ms. Lieberman's removal as a spokeswoman for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.
A polished politician's wife, Lieberman says "any job I've had has been vetted through as the job of the wife of a US senator. Those ties were always done above board. I don't think there is any problem there."
She reiterates that working to find a cure is a cooperative effort, which includes the medical and pharmaceutical communities.
Lieberman cites Israel as a key player in the ongoing research to find a cure and noted the prevalence of the disease in both the Jewish and Palestinian communities. She stresses the importance of genetic research in the search for the cure and is looking forward to kicking off the race in October.
Hadassah Lieberman will be joined by some other notable public figures, including founder and Ambassador of the Komen Foundation, Nancy Brinker. US Ambassador to the Bahamas Ned Siegal and wife Stephanie are also expected to be in attendance for the race.
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