STATEHOUSE — State Representative Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton), legislators and staff wore sneakers at the Statehouse on Thursday in support of the “Suits and Sneakers” challenge to raise awareness of the fight against cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), in 2012, 35,000 Hoosiers heard the words “you have cancer,” and of those, 13,000 lost their lives to the disease. The Suits and Sneakers challenge is an annual event sponsored by the ACS and the National Association of Basketball Coaches to help raise cancer awareness and support those affected by it.
“Cancer has directly affected the lives of so many Hoosier families,” said Rep. Thompson. “I am proud to support the Suits and Sneakers challenge and the American Cancer Society in their efforts to raise cancer awareness.”
State Representative David Wolkins (R-Warsaw), who is currently fighting cancer, has been allowed to remove his tie during session in order to be more comfortable, which male legislators are normally required to wear. In order to show support for their fellow legislator, the Speaker encouraged staff and legislators to remove their ties, while female legislators were encouraged to creatively incorporate a tie into their wardrobes. Legislators and staff also donated to the ACS.
“It was an honor to support my friend and colleague, Rep. Wolkins, for the Suits and Sneakers challenge,” said Rep. Thompson. “By wearing sneakers and not wearing a tie for the day, we had the opportunity to support the many Hoosiers fighting this terrible disease and make sure they know that they are not alone in the fight.”
As a part of the Suits and Sneakers Day, Coach Greg Lansing of the Indiana State University men’s basketball team represented all Indiana college basketball coaches during his visit to the Statehouse. He encouraged House members and staff to continue to raise awareness on ways to reduce the risk of cancer and follow the ACS’s recommended cancer screening guidelines.
Visit www.cancer.org for more information on how you can help spread the message and fight back against cancer.
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Rep. Thompson (R-Lizton) represents portions of Hendricks and Boone counties. He serves as the Chairman of the K-12 Ways and Means Subcommittee. He also serves on the Elections and Apportionment Committee and the Education Committee.
