I am writing in response to recent news coverage of the continued prescription drug shortage crisis. As the executive director of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, I have seen countless women benefit from life-saving chemotherapy drugs - and so I understand too well the dire situation that exists when these drugs go into shortage. If it's your loved one who receives a diagnosis of cancer, the least you'd want is for them to get the medication they need to give them every advantage at beating the disease.

Unfortunately, the drug shortage crisis we're currently facing means some of our mothers, fathers, sons and daughters don't have access to the treatment they need to survive. Rep. John Carney passed legislation last year that will make important progress toward stopping drug shortages. His bipartisan bill will help address the supply chain and manufacturing issues that are causing many of these shortages.

That said, even one shortage is too many. As the leading breast cancer resource in the state, DBCC advocates to continue to address the root causes of these shortages - other legislators should follow our congressman's lead and make this a priority.

The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition’s mission is to empower our community by raising awareness of breast health issues through outreach, education and support services, in order to facilitate early detection and treatment of breast cancer.

Victoria G. Cooke

Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition