American Lung Association volunteers ask members of
Congress to take action to end lung cancer
WASHINGTON, March 28,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tomorrow, more than 40 LUNG
FORCE Heroes – people living with lung cancer, their loved ones and
advocates from across the country – will head to Washington, D.C. to meet with members of
Congress during the American Lung Association LUNG FORCE Advocacy
Day. As a part of the event, LUNG FORCE Heroes will ask lawmakers
to support $51 billion in research
funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), $11.6 billion in funding for the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and to support and
protect Medicaid.
"Advocating for lung cancer is critical, as action by Congress
can truly save lives. The disease remains the leading cause of
cancer deaths in the U.S., however, the survival rate has increased
by nearly 40% over the past ten years thanks in part to new
treatments, increased access to better healthcare and more early
detection," said Harold Wimmer,
National President and CEO of the American Lung Association. "This
year, we are excited to return to Capitol Hill in person with more
than one hundred LUNG FORCE Heroes and Lung Association staff to
rally support for measures that will make an impact on people
affected by lung cancer."
Portia Booker, one of the LUNG
FORCE Heroes traveling to Washington,
D.C. for Advocacy Day, was the caregiver for her mother
during her lung cancer treatment.
"My mother's journey began with her lung cancer diagnosis in
2018. She had a CT scan a few weeks prior that showed a spot on her
right lung. The doctor recommended a biopsy to confirm if the spot
was cancerous or benign. We scheduled the appointment right away
despite my mother wanting to ignore it. I'm grateful for the access
to our local hospitals because scheduling and availability can add
unwanted stress. I'm also grateful for Medicaid. Without that
coverage, there is no way we could have afforded my mother's
medications," said Booker. "Being a caregiver of my beloved mother
for the last four years taught me the importance of gratitude and
need for continued advocacy. My mother's journey (now she can rest
peacefully) opened a door for me to share her story and encourage
others through their cancer journey as patients or caregivers. My
hope for years to come is the access to lung screenings, healthcare
and additional resources will result in more successful
outcomes."
The American Lung Association launched LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day
in 2016 to ask members of Congress to support robust,
sustainable and predictable federal funding increases for lung
cancer research, prevention, and quality and affordable healthcare.
As a part of Advocacy Day, LUNG FORCE Heroes have succeeded in
helping increase NIH lung cancer research funding by over 115%.
Since 2016, more than 50 new therapies have been approved by
the FDA to treat lung cancer—giving more hope to those impacted by
this disease. In 2022, Heroes successfully urged Congress to extend
funding for tax credits so more than three million Americans were
able to keep affordable healthcare coverage through the federal and
state marketplaces.
During the American Lung Association's 2023 LUNG FORCE Advocacy
Day on March 29, support LUNG FORCE
Heroes by visiting LUNGFORCE.org/AdvocacyDay and contacting members
of Congress to ask them to support $51
billion in research funding for the NIH $11.6 billion in funding for the
CDC and to support and protect Medicaid.
About the American Lung
Association
The American Lung Association is the leading organization
working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung
disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the
American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives:
to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve
the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families;
and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the
American Lung Association, a holder of the coveted 4-star rating
from Charity Navigator and a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, or to
support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or
visit: Lung.org.
About LUNG FORCE
The American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE initiative unites
women, men and caregivers across the country to stand together
against lung cancer, the leading cancer killer. Increased awareness
about lung cancer, more education on lifesaving screening and more
research funding are critical to fuel lifesaving breakthroughs.
Through education, advocacy and research, LUNG FORCE works to
provide hope to all those impacted by the disease and save more
lives. Find out more at LUNGFORCE.org.
American Lung Association • 55 W. Wacker
Drive, Suite 1150 • Chicago, IL
60601
1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Ste. 1425 North • Washington, D.C. 20004
1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) Lung.org
CONTACT: Jill Dale | American
Lung Association
P: 312-940-7001 E: Jill.Dale@Lung.org
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SOURCE American Lung Association