Tuesday, May 24 at 4:45 pm
Our visit with Rep. Yarmuth -- with Jeanine Phillips, another volunteer-- was a delight. Not only does he get it, but he is a champion for cancer research, prevention and early detection funding.
It's been a great and inspiring day. Anytime you travel to DC and meet with a member or staff, you are having an impact.
While it has been a good day, it's clear we have to keep coming back and coming back and calling and emailing. Our lawmakers need to hear from us on our issues.
Tuesday, May 24 at 12:09 pm
Our first two meetings of the day are finished. We met with legislative aides for Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul.
I feel really good about our meeting with Sen. McConnell's aide. The senator has done a great deal historically to fund cancer research in Kentucky. He has a meeting with leaders from the National Institutes of Health later this week, so I feel really good about our prospects.
In the end neither staff member committed to support finding for OVAC's cancer research, prevention and early detection priorities.
Tuesday, May 24 at 8:30 am
I am very excited to be here at the annual One Voice Against Cancer Lobby Day, where we will have the opportunity to speak to lawmakers about the importance of funding for cancer research and prevention programs. OVAC brings together a lot of cancer-related organizations from across the country. It's interesting and exciting to see how we all fit into the puzzle that is the fight against cancer.
I am impressed with the tools and the information we've been given to make the case for funding. And, I've learned a lot I didn't know. For example, in 1964 there were 800,000 cancer survivors; this year, there are 13 million cancer survivors. As a 30-year melanoma survivor who wasn't supposed to live beyond five years, it's amazing to be in the company of so many survivors -- most of whom would not be here were it not for the advances made in treatment because of federally funded research.
Another thing I learned, and something lawmakers need to know, is that the general public -- their voters -- are with us. 77% of the public opposes cancer research cuts. My lawmakers need to hear that I speak for the majority of the public.
After months of delay and hard negotiations, Congress has finally passed a funding bill! The bill includes a small increase for cancer research and prevention programs.