Kathleen Murphy Stop Politicizing Cancer!

Kathleen Murphy Stop Politicizing Cancer!

by Sally Burns 

Last week, I received a political letter addressed to me personally from Kathleen Murphy, candidate for Delegate.  It gave false information to voters about General Assembly votes regarding cancer screening.   

Kathleen Murphy falsely claimed that my daughter, Delegate Barbara Comstock, voted against cancer screenings.  In fact, Barbara’s vote secured and preserved cancer screening funds in the Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program within the Virginia Department of Health. 

This mail from Kathleen Murphy arrived less than 24 hours after I had received a frightening diagnosis that unfortunately has led me to consultations with oncologists and upcoming surgery.  Since then,  I’ve received numerous phone calls from neighbors and friends who tell me they were equally offended at Kathleen Murphy’s  politicization of cancer.

Last week while Kathleen Murphy was sinking to a new low in her campaign, Barbara was accompanying me on visits to several doctors to make sure we get my health issue dealt with quickly and successfully.  You can understand my outrage with this false statement.

Cancer and cancer screening is not a Republican or Democrat issue.  It’s not a red or blue issue.  There is only one side on cancer:  we all want to eradicate and fight cancer and provide early screenings to all women.  That is exactly how Barbara has voted as Delegate.   

The Facts:   Barbara voted against Item 295 #2H in the 2013 budget (HB 1500) because it would have diverted $200,000 out of Virginia’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.  This is funding that the Virginia General Assembly approved in 2006 to test eligible women who have symptoms.   Barbara wanted to keep that money in the Early Detection Program, which provides critical breast and cervical cancer screenings for underserved and uninsured women who otherwise have limited access to these screenings.

Barbara’s vote kept funding for breast and cervical cancer screenings within the Virginia Department of Health for vulnerable women who need to be able to access it the most.  Kathleen Murphy wanted to divert that funding to clinics run by her political donors and supporters that only serve a small portion of Virginia women.  

Kathleen Murphy blatantly lied about what this amendment would do. 

Over the past months, I have had fellow Virginians tell me how Kathleen Murphy never asks about their concerns or gives them specifics on how she plans to deal with critical issues.  Instead, she launches into personal attacks on Barbara – all as ill-informed as this one about cancer screening. 

Kathleen Murphy told one group of women that Barbara opposed women working outside the home.  My daughter has worked since she was 14 and her longest time off work was in the maternity ward three times!  Barbara started the “Young Women’s Leadership Program” to provide high school and junior high young women with the opportunity to meet leaders throughout our community in a wide variety of fields.   Her wide circle of friends and high level accomplishments have provided Barbara with the ability to attract a diverse group of women for this program – from the Northern Virginia Technology Council’s President, Bobbie Kilberg, to Vice President Al Gore’s Campaign Manager, Donna Brazile.   

It is very sad when a person runs for her first public office, as Kathleen Murphy has, lacking accomplishments to cite or ideas for solutions.  Rather she uses false attacks on my daughter’s record to prey upon and exploit women on an issue as critical as cancer.

I ask you to join me on November 5 and reject this kind of campaign and cast your vote for Delegate Barbara Comstock.