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Locals lobby Capitol Hill for cancer legislation

Contributed by: Dana Brandorff on 6/6/2008

Members of the Denver Metropolitan Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure traveled to Washington D.C. June 5 to help make the case for more funding for cancer research and access to screening and treatment.

During their meetings with Senator Ken Salazar, Congressman Ed Perlmutter, and legislative assistants for Congressmen Tom Tancredo, Mark Udall and Senator Wayne Allard the delegation discussed the need to energize research and the disparities in access to care that exist, particularly in rural and minority communities.

"Thirty five years after our nation declared war on cancer we are still facing a cancer crisis," said Jill Adams, Director of Grantmaking with Komen Denver. "This week's push on Capitol Hill should help build momentum for an all-out assault on all cancer."

The Denver Affiliate's delegation, comprised of Jill Adams, Cherrelyn Napue and Chris Armijo, joined nearly 300 survivors and activists from 39 states plus the District of Columbia creating a pink wave across over 400 Capitol Hill offices helping to build a foundation of support for comprehensive cancer legislation that will soon be unveiled by Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX). Prior to Senator Kennedy's recent diagnosis of brain cancer, he chaired a hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension committee that discussed the issues addressed by the bill he and Senator Hutchison are crafting.

The Komen delegation reminded members of Congress that despite the many investments and advancements over the past three decades, 40 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives, including approximately 1.4 million new cases this year alone. Cancer will kill more than a half million people this year - about 1,500 people a day.

They also called on Congress to provide a greater government investment in cancer research, placing an emphasis on early detection, and promoting the discovery and development of biomarkers to detect cancers at the earliest possible stage. In addition, investment should be focused on personalized treatments, so early detection can be as easy as a blood test and treatments as non-invasive as an injection. At the same time, they warned Congress not to lose sight of the gaps in access to the detection and treatment options available today that impact the uninsured, underinsured and rural and minority populations.

"While we should be excited about the opportunities for the future and should do everything in our power to discover and deliver the cures, we have to close the gaps that exist today," said Adams. "If we don't, as the science surges, the gaps will only widen."

The Denver Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure - along with those who generously support us with their talent, time and resources - is working to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in the community. Since 1993, through events like the Komen Denver Race for the Cure® and A Pink Tie Affair®, we have invested $20 million in local breast health and breast cancer awareness projects in 12 counties. Up to 75 percent of net proceeds generated by the Komen Denver Affiliate stay in the 12-county service area.

This year, the Affiliate is funding 32 grants in its 12-county service area, totaling $2.9 million and invested nearly $1 million into breast cancer research. The Affiliate has also contributed nearly $8 million to scientific research through Komen National over the past 15 years. For more information, visit komendenver.org or call 303-744-2088.



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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Dana Brandorff

Littleton , CO

Dana Brandorff has posted 88 stories and 0 comments since joining on 9/14/2005. Dana Brandorff 's average story rating is 5.
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