Fran Visco, a St. Joseph’s University and Villanova Law School graduate, was honored with the Presidential Citizens Medal on Jan. 2 for her pioneering work toward ending breast cancer, writes Pat Loeb for the KYW Newsradio.
Visco got a White House email containing a phone number. When she called, she was told she would be receiving the Presidential Citizens Medal.
“I was incredibly surprised and, of course, honored,” said Visco.
Visco visited the White House once before to present 2.6 million signatures to President Bill Clinton, advocating for a national breast cancer action plan. Last week, she was there to receive the country’s second-highest civilian honor for all the work she has done in the intervening years.
Visco has led the National Breast Cancer Coalition for three decades. She became a cancer advocate after she was diagnosed with the disease herself at 39.
“We brought together a group of visionary scientists and advocates from across the country and internationally, actually,” she said. “It’s not a large group, but it is a group of incredibly creative, boundary-pushing individuals.”
The group has been working on developing a vaccine they hope will enter clinical trials this year. Visco’s goal remains the elimination of breast cancer.
Read more about Fran Visco at KYW Newsradio.
