As Congress works to determine 2025 priorities before the budget deadline at the end of the month, nearly 750 cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Guam and Puerto Rico, and nearly every congressional district, will be on Capitol Hill this week to make clear to members of Congress that cancer must be a national priority.

As part of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) annual Leadership Summit and Lobby Day, advocates will urge lawmakers to support policies that increase funding for cancer research and prevention programs and urge lawmakers to pass the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act.

“The 200 diseases known as cancer collectively represent a leading cause of death and suffering, with more than 2 million people in the U.S. expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year, a grave new record,” said Dr. Karen E. Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “We need Congress to do everything possible to prioritize policies that will reduce the cancer burden, starting with providing sustained and significant increases in federal cancer research funding. It is clear that cancer research saves lives, and that the return on scientific investment is accelerated progress and improved outcomes.”

In addition to urging lawmakers to boost cancer research funding, ACS CAN volunteer advocates will also call on lawmakers to pass the bipartisan Medicare MCED Screening Coverage Act. This legislation would create a pathway for Medicare to cover new multi-cancer early detection tests once they are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and clinical benefit is shown. MCEDs have the potential to test for multiple cancers at once with a single blood test, making them a less invasive and more accessible alternative to existing early detection tests.

“Reducing suffering and death from cancer takes a comprehensive approach that includes policy solutions for the full cancer continuum, from prevention to treatment and through survivorship,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “That’s why, in addition to urging lawmakers to increase funding for cancer research, we are calling upon Congress to pass the Medicare MCED Screening Coverage Act by the end of the year. This legislation ensures a pathway to coverage exists for the most innovative and effective cancer prevention tools for people with Medicare coverage, a population that on average has an increased risk of cancer diagnosis. We can’t pass up this opportunity to make an impact in the fight against cancer.”

Tuesday’s lobby day on Capitol Hill culminates with ACS CAN’s annual Lights of Hope event starting at 7:00 p.m. at Constitution Gardens. Lights of Hope is a powerful display featuring over 10,000 lights lining the garden’s pond honoring cancer survivors and memorializing those who have died from the disease. This moving display stretches beyond D.C., with 75,000 total bags on display at community events across the nation. The annual ceremony delivers a powerful message in hopes of motivating lawmakers to act on policies that will reduce the cancer burden.

Additionally, as part of ACS CAN’s Leadership Summit and Lobby Day, the organization will honor a select group of lawmakers and others who have made exemplary contributions to the cancer fight. The National Distinguished Advocacy Award, ACS CAN’s most prestigious honor, will be presented to Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (D), Colorado Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera (D), State Sen Devlin Robinson (PA) and Rep. Raul Ruiz (D – CA) in recognition of their contributions to the fight against cancer.

Cybil Roehrenbeck of Hogan Lovells will receive ACS CAN’s Judicial Advocacy Initiative Award this year in recognition of her generous donation of her time in a key regulatory area for seven straight years. Cybil has used her tremendous Medicare expertise to assist ACS CAN and its partners in the Patient Quality of Life Coalition (PQLC), a coalition formed with the goal of improving access to palliative care for all people with serious illness. Cybil has deftly led the coalition’s 40+ members in formulating its response to Medicare payment proposals every year since 2017.

“We all know someone whose life has been affected by cancer. Making sure their experiences and voices are heard by policymakers empowers people to fight back against this disease through policy change that can reduce the disease burden for others who come after them,” said Kimberly L. Jeffries Leonard, PhD, volunteer chair of ACS CAN’s Board of Directors. “We want lawmakers to think of their constituents’ stories and the people behind them and make a commitment to take action to defeat cancer.”

Other special guests during ACS CAN’s Leadership Summit include this year’s keynote speaker, author, artist, advocate, and cancer survivor Suleika Jaouad and NCI Director Dr. Kimryn Rathmell.

During the event, ACS CAN also has an ad in the Hill reminding lawmakers that by fighting cancer through research funding increases, they make it possible for people living in America to enjoy more time for moments that matter in their lives.

This press release was originally published September 16, 2024, by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. It is republished with permission.