GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – On Wednesday, August 19th, Michigan cancer survivors and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteers gathered with candidate Mike Rogers to discuss cancer in Michigan and policies that can reduce the cancer burden for everyone.
“As a cancer researcher in Grand Rapids and someone whose family has been greatly impacted by cancer, I was grateful for the opportunity to sit down with Senate candidate Mike Rogers and encouraged by his decision to sign the Cancer Promise pledge,” said Natasha Lawton-Zandstra, PhD candidate and President of the GSA-LC at Van Andel Institute Graduate School. “I was conducting ovarian cancer research when my grant was recently revoked, so I understand firsthand how critical federal funding is to advancing cancer research. Our elected officials have a profound impact on whether researchers can continue this lifesaving work and bring hope to patients and families facing cancer.”
ACS CAN is calling on Michigan candidates to clearly state their commitments to fighting cancer, a disease that an estimated 2 million Americans will be diagnosed with this year and that will kill more than 1,600 people each day. This effort is part of ACS CAN’s national Cancer Votes program – the nation’s leading cancer voter education program informing the public and candidates about the actions lawmakers need to take to make the fight against cancer a national priority.
“A recent poll conducted by ACS CAN found that Michigan voters (81%) understand the importance of affordable health coverage and want their lawmakers to improve access to care for everyone,” said Molly Medenblik, ACS CAN government relations director. “Beyond improving access to care, lawmakers must also work to reduce the number of cancer diagnoses. Here in Michigan, 31.9% of all cancer deaths are caused by cigarette smoking. Michigan lawmakers must listen to voters (69%) who support programs to protect our kids from the dangers of tobacco industry marketing.”
ACS CAN sent its “Cancer Promise” to both candidates and asked them to pledge to support cancer research funding, ensuring access to affordable, comprehensive health coverage and cancer prevention services including tobacco prevention and cessation programs. ACS CAN is strictly nonpartisan and does not endorse, oppose or contribute to any candidate or political party.
Cancer is one of the most prevalent and far-reaching diseases in the country, with approximately 1 in 3 Americans expected to receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. This year, an estimated 68,730 people in Michigan will be diagnosed, and an estimated 21,580 people in Michigan will lose their lives.
Government officials at the federal, state and local levels make decisions every day that impact the ability of people with cancer or who are at risk of developing cancer to fight and prevent the disease. ACS CAN encourages candidates to share their positions on issues regarding cancer and urges voters to make sure they are registered to vote by visiting cancervotes.org.