I just returned from a wonderful visit to Washington, D.C. with my fellow volunteers from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). We met with staff of our federal Congressional delegation, Reps. Kuster and Pappas, and Sens. Shaheen and Hassan. Historically, these legislators have been supportive of our requests surrounding the improvement of cancer care. We aim to secure funding for cancer research and prevention to help avert the 600,000 deaths per year from this terrible disease. Every year, roughly 2 million people get the bad news that they have cancer. I heard those words myself six years ago.
Due to funding for cancer research, I am alive today. My type of cancer had a 50/50 survival rate just a few years ago. Research found that certain types of treatment delivered concurrently significantly increased that survival rate. I am a direct beneficiary of that research. There is considerable return on investment for cancer research and prevention. Preventing or curing this disease is certainly far less costly than treating patients who need long-term, high-level cancer care. Funding cancer research is a win for everybody. Please join me in encouraging Sens. Shaheen and Hassan, Reps. Kuster and Pappas to continue to support robust funding for cancer research and prevention. Help support volunteer efforts of ACS CAN in our fight to improve cancer care across the country and make it accessible to everyone. Until all people have as good of an outcome as I did, there is much work to do.
Bev Cotton
Weare