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1975/11/07 - American Cancer Society Dinner, New York City
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1975/11/07 - American Cancer Society Dinner, New York City
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Frances K. Pullen Files
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President (1974-1977 : Ford). Office of the First Lady. 1974-1977
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The original documents are located in Box 1, folder "1975/11/07 - American Cancer Society
Dinner, New York City" of the Frances K. Pullen Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential
Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Scanned from Box 1 of the Frances K. Pullen Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
November 5, 1975
MRS. FORD'S REMARKS TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY,
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1975
I'm very glad to be here tonight, and that's not a line borrowed
from a campaign speech.
I feel absolutely marvelous. I just had my annual checkup and
all my tests are completely clear. There is no sign whatsoever of a
cancerous reoccurrence at this point. I'm convinced that I am completely
cured.
Thanks to that checkup last September, good doctors, a loving
supporting husband and understanding children -- I can truly say this
past year as been one of the richest and happiest of my life.
When I went into the operating room that morning I was pretty
sure it was going to turn out to be a malignancy and that my breast
would have to be removed. But once the operation was over, I was
really very relieved. I felt the doctors had gotten the cancer at such
an early stage that I was very lucky.
- 2 -
The most difficult moments were trying to pull my family through
my cancer operation. I really had to pull them through, and to try to
make them happy because they were so sad and upset.
The malignancy was something my husband never expected, and
he couldn't believe it was happening to me. The whole family felt that way.
I think their surprise was a very natural reaction, because
one day I appeared to be fine and the next day I was in the hospital
for a masectomy. It made me realize how many women in the country
could be in the same situation.
That realization made me decide to discuss my breast cancer
operation openly, because I thought of all the lives in jeopardy. My
experience and frank discussion of breast cancer did prompt many women
to learn about self-examination, regular checkups and such detection
techniques as mammography.
STATED
- 3 -
I certainly don't mean to minimize the emotional impact of the
operation for me and my family. But knowing I helped educate other
women to the dangers of breast cancer did encourage me in some
dark moments.
Too many women are so afraid of breast cancer they endanger
their lives. These fears of being scarred and of being "less" of a
woman are very real, and it's very important to talk about the emotional
side effects honestly.
It was easier for me to accept the operation, because I had been
married for 26 years and we had our four children. There was no
problem of lack of love, affection and attention.
But some women don't have these same emotional resources,
and it's very necessary to deal realistically with the fears about breast
cancer.
It isn't vanity to worry about disfigurement. It is an honest concern.
I started wearing low-cut dresses as soon as the scar healed, and my
- 4 -
worries about my appearance are now just the normal ones of staying
slim and keeping my hair fixed. When I asked myself whether I would
rather lose a right arm or a breast? I'd rather have lost a breast.
What is important is life--and good health.
Last year I had that critical checkup at the insistence of a friend, and
I've tried to repay that act of friendship by talking about how important
regular checkups are for early detection of breast cancer and, of course,
other types of cancer.
also
But cancer is not only a disease that takes many forms. It often
Cancer also
F
produces the disease of ear -- and much of that fear comes from ignorance
about the progress already made and ignorance of the need for preventive
medicine for men and women alida.
Cancer wherever it strikes the body, also strikes the spirit,
and the best doctors in the world can't cure the spirit, only love and
understanding can.
-5-
All of us can give love and support to our friends who have
cancer. We can open our hearts and our minds to dealing with the fears
have,
that cripple of wz the spirit. that not only of the victors tnt unfortunately
so many have of this disease
There are people in this audience working to find cures for
cancer, and many of you help fund these research efforts. I thank
you personally for your contributions to the detection and the eradication
of this disease.
The cure rates and the numbers in so many different types
of cancer are encouraging. But the most important number of all is one--
that one person you may know who needs your under standing when faced
with this disease.
I believe we are all here to help each other and that our lives
have patterns and purposes. My illness turned out to have a very special
purpose -- helping save other lives, and I'm grateful that it did.
###
Pullen / 2nd
November 5, 1975
Mrs. Ford American Cancer Society, November 7, 1975
I'm very ga glad ****** and thankful to be here tonight, and that is
not a line bornowed from a campaign speech.
I feel absolutely marvelous. I just had my
annual checkup and all my tests are completely clear. There
is no sign whatsoever of a cancerous reoccurrence
at this point. I'm convinced that I am completely cured.
Thanks to that very important checkup last September,
good doctors, a loving supporting husband and understanding children --
I can truly say this past year as been one of the richest and
happiest of my life.
When I went into the operating room that morning I was
pretty sure it was going to turn out to be a malignancy and that
my breast would have to be removed. But once the operation was
over, I was really very relieved. I felt the doctors had gotten
very lucry.
the cancer at such an SK early statge stage that I was one of the
fortunate ones.
The most difficult moments were trying to pull my family
through my cancer operation. I really had to pull them through,
and to try to make them happy
because they were so sad and X upset.
Kxwxxxxenxeth The malignancy was something my husband
never expected, and he couldn't believe it was happening to me.
The whole family felt that way.
The
2
I think their surprise was a very natural reaction, because
one day I appeared to be fine and the next day I was
in the hospital for хиххрих a masectomy. It made me realize how
many women in the country could be in the same situation.
That really made me decide to discuss my breast cancer
operation openly, because I thought of all the lives in jeopardy.
xkkixx My experience and
the frank discussion of breast cancer did prompt many women
to learn exixlxx the value of self-examination,
regular HXXWX checkups and such new detection techniques as
mammography.
I certainly don't mean to minimize the emotional impact
of the operation for me and my family. But knowing I helped
educate other women to the dangers of break breast cancer
did encourage me in some dark moments.
Too many women are so afraid of breast cancer they endanger
their lives. kxxxamxxxxxix These fears of being scarred and
of being "less" of a woman are very real, and it's very important
to talk about the emotional side effects openly and honestly.
It was easier for me to accept the spexatx operation, because I
had been married for 26 years and we had our four children. There
was no problem of lack of love, affection and attention. But some women
don't have these same emotional resources, and k*hk it's so
important
recognize that fear can
be as dangerous as & cancer.
3
But some women don't have these same emotional resources,
and it's very important necessary to rexumms
xxxxxxxxxxx the xfexxxxxxx *****diog bx xxxx xbxy
realistically
****
deal honestly with XXXXX the fears about
breast cancer.
It isn't vanity to worry about disfigurement. It is an
honest concern. I started wearing low-cut dresses as soon as
worries
the scar healed. and my concerns about my appearance are now
just the ones all of us have of staying slim and keeping my her
hair fixed. when vl asked myself whether I would rather use
a right arm or a heast ? have wsh alread.
What I've tried to say when I discussed this operation is
1
what is important tome is life and good health B
that what is really important is good health Our health is something
we have to ganxdx guard with regular checkups and attention to
the way we live.
Last year I had that critical checkup at the insistence of a
friend, and I've tried to repay that act of friendship by talking about
ulgular checkup are for
of
how MK important early denk detection is for breast cancer and, of course,
other form types of cancer.
But cancer is not only a disease that takes many forms.
It often produces the disease of fear--and much of
that fear comes from ignorance about the progress already made
and ignorance of the need for preventive medicine.
Cancer wherever it strikes the body, also strikes the spirit,
and the best doctors in the world can't cure the spirit, like love can.
only and understanding
4
All of us can give love and support to our friends who have
cancer. We can open our hearts tochelping
and our minds to dealing helping deal with the fear}that
cripple the spirit.
There are people in this audience working to find cures for
cancer, and many of you help ar working to fund these efforts.
usearch
I
thank you personally for your contributions to the detection and
the eradication of this disease.
The cure rates and the numbers in so many different types
of cancer are encouraging. But the most important number of all
is one-that one person you may know who needs your understanding
when faced with this disease.
I believe WATEX we are all here to help each other and that our
lives have patterns and purposes. My illness turned out to have a
XXXXXXX very special purpose--helping save other lives, and I'm
grateful that idelixx it did.
_30-
(Pullen)
November 3, 1975
MRS. FORD, AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, NOVEMBER 7, 1975
in excellent health (
I'm very glad to be here tonight, and that's not just a line I
how Iffeel
borrowed from one of my husband's political speeches. Thanks to a
just had
good checking
regular medical checkup, good doctors, a loving supporting husband
and under standing children I can truly say this past year has been
one of the richest and happiest of my life.
unpedictablity
I'm pleased that the removal of my right breast because of a
malignancy produced an open discussion of the problem. It truly made
my own painful experience easier to bear to know how many women were
learn how theyam themselves for breast cancer
prompted to get medical treatment.
and to sur
I certainly don't mean to minimize the emotional impact of the
operation for me and my family, but knowing I helped educate other
women to the dangers of breast cancer sustained me through a difficult
period. My husband of children's reaction
Giving
-2-
So many women are afraid of breast cancer to the point of
endangering their lives that it is particularly important for sensible,
straight forward discussions.
Cancer is not only a disease that takes many forms. It can also
produce the disease of fear. And much of the fear comes from ignorance--
ignorance about the progress already made and ignorance of the importance
of preventive medicine.
I've always been a believer in the importance of regular checkups,
and I hope to convert those of you who are too casual about your own health.
As a mother, I've supervised my children's health, but sometimes mothers
and fathers who always get their children checked regularly neglect
themselves.
You'll forgive me for sounding just a little preachy on this subject,
but I do have some first-hand experience.
-3-
The best doctors in the world can't cure the spirit like love can,
and all of us can give love and support to our friends who have cancer.
I could not have accepted a masectomy as well without a strong
marriage and a husband's love. Cancer wherever it strikes in the body,
also strikes the spirit. leasier to take /sympathy
There are people in this audience working to find cures for
cancer, and many of you are working to fund these efforts. I commend
you for your contributions to the eradication of this disease.
The cure rates and the numbers in so many different types of
cancer are encouraging. But the most important number of all is one--
that one person you may know who needs your under standing when faced
with this disease.
I believe we are all here to help each other and that our lives
have patterns and purposes. My illness turned out to have a very special
purpose of helping save other lives, and I'm grateful that it did.
E &
###
Mrs. Ford American Cancer Society November 7 1975 (Rellen)
I'm very glad to be here tonight, and that's not just a
my husband's
line I borrowed from one of kiss political speeches. Thanks to
a regular medical checkup, good doctors and a loving supporting
husband and whichen understanding children I can truly say
this past year has been one of the richest and happiestof be my life.
pleased
I'm equally grateful that the removal of my right breast
are
because of a malignancy produced open attenties
and educational discussion of the problem. It truly made my
how
own painful experience easier to bear to know that many women
were prompted to get medical treatment.
I certainly don't mean to minimize the emotional impact of
the operation for me and my family, but knowing I helped
educate other women to the dangers of heast cancer
save lives sustained me througha difficultperiod.
So many women are afraid of breast cancer
to the point of endangering their lives that it is particularly important
for sensible, shought forward discressimsby
that this type of cancer be discussed frankly.
Cancer is not only a disease that takes many forms. It can
the
fear
also produce & disease of the spirit. And much of the fear comes from
ignorance ignorance about the progress already made and ignorance
of the NK importance of preventive medicine.
Page Two
I've always been a believer in the importance of regular
checkups, and I hope to convert
those of you who are too casual about your own health. As a mother,
I've always Supervised been concerned about my children's health, but sometimes
mothers and fathers who always get their children checked regularly
maix neglect themselves.
You'll forgive me for sounding just a little preachy on this
subject, but rexhard xxxxx XXXXXX
I do have some first-hand X experience.
Bat the best doctors in the world can't cure
what*x the spirit like love can, and all of us can
give love and support to our friends who have cancer.
I could not have accepted a masectomy as well without a
strong marriage and a husband 's love. Cancer wherever it strikes
in the body, also strikes the spirit.
There are people in this audience working to find cures for
cancer, and many of you are working to fund these efforts. I commend
you for your contributions to the eradication of this disease.
The cure rates and the numbers in so many different formax
types of cancer are encouraging. But the most important number of
understanding
all is one that one person you may know who needs your love and
disease.
support when faced with this illness
I believe we are all here to help each other and that our
lives have patterns and purposes. My illness turned out to have
a very special purpose of helping save other lives, and I'm grateful
that it did.
-30-
(Pullen)
November 3, 1975
MRS. FORD, AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, NOVEMBER 7, 1975
I'm very glad to be here tonight, and that's not just a line I
borrowed from one of my husband's political speeches. Thanks to a
regular medical checkup, good doctors, a loving supporting husband
and understanding children -- I can truly say this past year has been
one of the richest and happiest of my life.
I'm pleased that the removal of my right breast because of a
malignancy produced an open discussion of the problem. It truly made
my own painful experience easier to bear to know how many women were
prompted to get medical treatment.
I certainly don't mean to minimize the emotional impact of the
operation for me and my family, but knowing I helped educate other
women to the dangers of breast cancer sustained me through a difficult
period.
-2-
So many women are afraid of breast cancer to the point of
endangering their lives that it is particularly important for sensible,
straight forward discussions.
Cancer is not only a disease that takes many forms. It can also
produce the disease of fear. And much of the fear comes from ignorance--
ignorance about the progress already made and ignorance of the importance
of preventive medicine.
I've always been a believer in the importance of regular checkups,
and I hope to convert those of you who are too casual about your own health.
As a mother, I've supervised my children's health, but sometimes mothers
and fathers who always get their children checked regularly neglect
themselves.
You'll forgive me for sounding just a little preachy on this subject,
but I do have some first-hand experience.
-3- -
The best doctors in the world can't cure the spirit like love can,
and all of us can give love and support to our friends who have cancer.
I could not have accepted a masectomy as well without a strong
marriage and a husband's love. Cancer wherever it strikes in the body,
also strikes the spirit.
There are people in this audience working to find cures for
cancer, and many of you are working to fund these efforts. I commend
you for your contributions to the eradication of this disease.
The cure rates and the numbers in so many different types of
cancer are encouraging. But the most important number of all is one--
that one person you may know who needs your under standing when faced
with this disease.
I believe we are all here to help each other and that our lives
have patterns and purposes. My illness turned out to have a very special
purpose of helping save other lives, and I'm grateful that it did.
# # #
FORD & LIBRARY STREET
November 5, 1975
MRS. FORD'S REMARKS TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY,
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1975
I'm very glad to be here tonight, and that's not a line borrowed
from a campaign speech.
I feel absolutely marvelous. I just had my annual checkup and
all my tests are completely clear. There is no sign whatsoever of a
cancerous reoccurrence at this point. I'm convinced that I am completely
cured.
Thanks to that checkup last September, good doctors, a loving
supporting husband and understanding children -- I can truly say this
past year as been one of the richest and happiest of my life.
When I went into the operating room that morning I was pretty
sure it was going to turn out to be a malignancy and that my breast
would have to be removed. But once the operation was over, I was
really very relieved. I felt the doctors had gotten the cancer at such
an early stage that I was very lucky.
- 2 -
The most difficult moments were trying to pull my family through
my cancer operation. I really had to pull them through, and to try to
make them happy because they were so sad and upset.
The malignancy was something my husband never expected, and
he couldn't believe it was happening to me. The whole family felt that way.
I think their surprise was a very natural reaction, because
one day I appeared to be fine and the next day I was in the hospital
for a masectomy. It made me realize how many women in the country
could be in the same situation.
That realization made me decide to discuss my breast cancer
operation openly, because I thought of all the lives in jeopardy. My
experience and frank discussion of breast cancer did prompt many women
to learn about self-examination, regular checkups and such detection
techniques as mammography.
- 3 -
I certainly don't mean to minimize the emotional impact of the
operation for me and my family. But knowing I helped educate other
women to the dangers of breast cancer did encourage me in some
dark moments.
Too many women are so afraid of breast cancer they endanger
their lives. These fears of being scarred and of being "less" of a
woman are very real, and it's very important to talk about the emotional
side effects honestly.
It was easier for me to accept the operation, because I had been
married for 26 years and we had our four children. There was no
problem of lack of love, affection and attention.
But some women don't have these same emotional resources,
and it's very necessary to deal realistically with the fears about breast
cancer.
It isn't vanity to worry about disfigurement. It is an honest concern.
I started wearing low-cut dresses as soon as the scar healed, and my
- 4 -
worries about my appearance are now just the normal ones of staying
slim and keeping my hair fixed. When I asked myself whether I would
rather lose a right arm or a breast? I'd rather have lost a breast.
What is important is life--affnd good health.
Last year I had that critical checkup at the insistence of a friend, and
I've tried to repay that act of friendship by talking about how important
regular checkups are for early detection of breast cancer and, of course,
other types of cancer.
But cancer is not only a disease that takes many forms. It often
produces the disease of ear -- and much of that fear comes from ignorance
about the progress already made and ignorance of the need for preventive
medicine.
Cancer wherever it strikes the body, also strikes the spirit,
and the best doctors in the world can't cure the spirit, only love and
understanding can.
-5- -
All of us can give love and support to our friends who have
cancer. We can open our hearts and our minds to dealing with the fears
that cripple the spirit.
There are people in this audience working to find cures for
cancer, and many of you help fund these research efforts. I thank
you personally for your contributions to the detection and the eradication
of this disease.
The cure rates and the numbers in so many different types
of cancer are encouraging. But the most important number of all is one--
that one person you may know who needs your under standing when faced
with this disease.
I believe we are all here to help each other and that our lives
have patterns and purposes. My illness turned out to have a very special
purpose -- helping save other lives, and I'm grateful that it did.
# # #