SPRINGFIELD, IL – Today, cancer patients, survivors and caregivers from across the state traveled to the Statehouse to meet with their elected officials during Cancer Action Day. They wore their “suits and sneakers” to ask lawmakers to hit the ground running to make cancer a policy priority.
“As a breast cancer survivor, I know the importance of preventing cancer and improving access to care all too well,” said Maggie Powell, cancer survivor and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteer. “In Springfield today, my fellow advocates and I let our lawmakers know that they must do all they can to reduce the toll of cancer on Illinoisans. Illinois can and must do better.”
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States among men and women combined. Here in Illinois, an estimated 6,110 residents were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 2,020 will pass away this year. Advocates asked lawmakers to support $1 million in state funding solely dedicated to colorectal cancer screening and prevention to help bring these numbers down.
Additionally, advocates asked lawmakers to increase taxes on other tobacco products by cosponsoring Senate Bill 2338 and House Bill 3606, given the devastating toll of tobacco use on Illinoisans’ health. These pieces of legislation would tax all tobacco products at an equal rate to cigarettes. The tax on all tobacco products must be equivalent to the tax on cigarettes; otherwise, if taxed at a lower rate, these products become an appealing alternative for price-sensitive consumers, including youth.
An estimated 78,870 Illinoisans will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and 23,170 are expected to die from the devastating disease. Those gathered at the Statehouse today are calling on Illinois lawmakers to change this by taking steps to prioritize the fight against cancer.