It's October, so once again, pink ribbons and fundraisers abound. While truly encouraging, all of this month's activity provides but a glimpse and a reminder of all that goes on in the fight against breast cancer every other month of the year - - year after year.

According to the American Cancer Society, there are 2.5 million breast cancer patients and survivors today, and an estimated one in eight women will be stricken with this disease at some point in her life. These alarming statistics mean that each of us is likely to have a personal experience with breast cancer in some way eventually, whether it be personal or through that of a loved one.

We at Cryo-Cell continue to dedicate significant resources toward the fight against breast cancer, and emerging science is very promising. In fact, we have a research partnership with the National Institutes of Health to study the potential benefits of C'elle menstrual stem cells for the treatment of breast cancer. Regardless of the roles we fill in our careers at Cryo-Cell, however, there are personal roles and relationships with moms, daughters, sisters, friends and neighbors that remind us of the human side of science.

When it comes to understanding breast cancer, powerful learning comes not just from the lab, but from the "sheroes" among us. The women who demonstrate perseverance, positive attitude and the conviction to prevail are incredibly inspiring. It helps to keep these strong survivors in mind when it comes to the diligence and perseverance required in the pursuit of advancing science to fight this disease.

I am particularly inspired by Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who in March revealed that she underwent seven surgeries in 2008 in her own battle against breast cancer. She endured her treatment while maintaining her responsibilities as a member of the House; and her role as wife and mother to three children. Rather than let breast cancer deter her, she leveraged her personal experience and her position as a legislator to help make a difference nationwide.

In fact, Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz introduced the Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act, or EARLY Act. This legislation directs the Centers for Disease Control to develop and implement a national education campaign about the threat breast cancer poses to young women to enable early diagnosis in this group. The EARLY Act will also provide grants to organizations that support young women diagnosed with breast cancer in order to receive the assistance they need—including social and psychological support, fertility preservation counseling and recurrence prevention training.

Congresswoman Wasserman Shultz says, "The purpose of my legislation is not to alarm people, but to educate and empower young women so we can reduce the number fatalities from this horrific disease."

Above all else, it's her use of the word "empowerment" that is so poignant to me. How easy it would be to feel powerless against breast cancer. So, Congresswoman Wasserman Shultz and the millions of other survivors among us, I salute you this month. As the scientific and medical communities continue to harness the promise of stem cells and aggressively pursue treatments and therapies, I continue to be both inspired and empowered by all of you sheroes in this fight.