Advocate at the National Level

At the Lance Armstrong Foundation, we sponsor national advocacy initiatives to help the voice of the cancer community be heard on Capitol Hill. By educating lawmakers and the public, we raise awareness about the health policy issues facing cancer survivors and their loved ones.

Comprehensive Cancer Legislation by Senators Kennedy and Hutchison:

Since the declaration of the War on Cancer in 1971, basic scientific research has produced an extraordinary trove of new knowledge on the biologic and genetic mechanisms that cause cancer, and there have been numerous important advances in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. However, cancer mortality in the nation is still disproportionately high compared to mortality from other chronic diseases. We believe it is time for the nation to renew its focus on cancer.

Senators Edward Kennedy, D- Massachusetts, and Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, have announced their intention to introduce legislation aimed at improving the spectrum of cancer research and care in this country, from prevention and early detection through treatment and survivorship. On May 8, 2008, Lance Armstrong testified with other leaders in the fight against cancer before the U. S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee concerning the challenges and opportunities available for addressing cancer in the 21st century. A transcript of Lance's written testimony submitted to the committee can be found here. For further information on the proposed legislation, please visit cancerbill.org.

The Cancer Screening, Treatment and Survivorship Act (H.R. 2353, S. 1415):

This year, close to 1.5 million people will be diagnosed with cancer and about 560,000 people will die from cancer in the United States — more than 1,500 per day or one of every four deaths. We know one-third of all cancer deaths could be prevented by applying what we already know about screening and early detection. That means 500 lives would be spared today, 3,500 this week and 150,000 lives per year.

The Cancer Screening, Treatment and Survivorship Act is a bold expansion of access to early detection and corresponding early treatment and survivorship services that once enacted will reduce cancer mortality rates, improve quality of life for those diagnosed and save health care dollars. The Lance Armstrong Foundation has worked closely with Senators Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, and Representatives Jan Schakowsky, D-Illinois, and Sue Myrick, R-North Carolina, on this important legislation. Please encourage your elected officials to support the Cancer Screening, Treatment and Survivorship Act.

Increased Federal Funding:

Each year more people are surviving cancer, but federal spending on cancer programs is not keeping pace. The Administration's most recent budget proposal featured flat funding for most federal cancer programs at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We support efforts to provide federal cancer survivorship programs at NCI and CDC with the necessary resources and increased funding. More information about federal funding for cancer research and programs can be found by visiting One Voice Against Cancer.