Lighting the White House Pink

On the evening of October 7th, 2008, the White House was turned pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

First Lady Laura Bush spoke about the significance of eradicating breast cancer, and stressed the importance of public-private partnerships. The First Lady spoke at length about the US-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research, highlighting the successes of the unique Partership between the medical and advocacy experts in the United States and the Middle East.

"In 2006, I announced the U.S.-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research. This partnership, funded by the Middle East Partnership Initiative, unites the medical expertise of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and the educational resources of Susan G. Komen for the Cure with local organizations in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. Already, the Partnership has reached more than 17,000 beneficiaries. And at the end of this month, it'll expand its influence with a historic regional conference, bringing together more than a hundred breast cancer advocates from 15 different countries."

The event marked support of the United States in the fight against breast cancer, but also highlighted the increasing need for public-private partnerships in order to leverage resources, and maximize impact around the world.

Click HERE for the First Lady's remarks