Proclamation
WHEREAS, breast cancer has the second highest mortality rate in women, and is the second most diagnosed cancer; and
WHEREAS, every two minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, and 32% of new women's cancer diagnoses will be for breast cancer; and WHEREAS, 1 out of every 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime; and
WHEREAS, in 2025, there was 316,950 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed in women, and 59,080 cases of non-invasive, for a total of 367,030 new cases; and WHEREAS, men can also get breast cancer, and an estimated 2,800 men will be diagnosed with it in 2025; and
WHEREAS, as of January 2025, there were 4.3 million breast cancer survivors in the United States; and
WHEREAS, both women and men are encouraged to learn more about how this disease may affect their lives and to take the necessary steps for early detection and prevention; and
WHEREAS, death rates from breast cancer have been declining, and these changes are thought to be the results of treatment advances, earlier detection through screenings, and increased awareness; and
WHEREAS, the efforts of the Merced City Firefighters, IAFF Local #1479 and the City of Merced Fire Department support going pink for the month of October to raise awareness about breast cancer. NOW, THEREFORE, I, MATTHEW SERRATTO, Mayor of the City of Merced, do hereby proclaim the month of October 2026 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Merced, State of California, and urge all citizens of Merced to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.
Signed this 5th day of October 2026. ____________________________________