Arkansas Lung Cancer Survivor and Advocate Meet with Congress to Advocate for Lifesaving Research, Public Health Infrastructure and Access to Quality Healthcare

Springdale resident and lung cancer survivor Shelley Myran, and Anne Streeter, resident of Bella Vista and lung cancer advocate, spoke with their members of Congress during the American Lung Association LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day earlier this week. As a part of the nationwide event, Myran and Streeter joined more than 50 people across the country who have been impacted by lung cancer to advocate for $49 billion in research funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), $11B in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and to protect expanded access to quality, affordable healthcare.

Due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 Advocacy Day was conducted virtually to allow this important message to be heard while also protecting the health and safety of patients and caregivers. During the virtual Advocacy Day, Myran and Streeter spoke with Senator John Boozman, Senator Tom Cotton and Congressman Steve Womack to share their personal experience with lung cancer and explain why investments in public health, research funding, and quality and affordable healthcare are important to them. 

“When I went to the doctor with pain in my lower right side, I never expected to find out that I had lung cancer,” shares Myran.  Myran has never been a smoker, nor has a history of lung cancer in her family. “This health experience has taught me that there is a lack of education on the signs and symptoms of lung cancer. Whether we are a smoker or not, this disease will not discriminate. LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day is an opportunity for our state leaders to hear from ‘real’ people like me living with lung cancer about the impact significant dollars will have on early detection, diagnosis, and critical research to further advance treatments,” remarks Myran.
Streeter advocates in memory of Bill, her late husband of 35 years. “Bill was diagnosed with a rare lung cancer that had no treatment in August 2015 and was gone a few days after his 74th birthday on Oct. 28,” shares Streeter. “I miss my Bill every day and hope that by participating in LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day, I can bring attention to the need for increased funding for the Lung Association, CDC and the NIH as well as for better access for all to affordable healthcare, particularly in rural parts of the country like Arkansas,” remarks Streeter.  
It is estimated that in 2022 alone, there will be more than 2,820 people in Arkansas diagnosed with lung cancer, but there is hope. More people than ever are surviving lung cancer in part because patients and caregivers are urging their policymakers to take action. That’s why Myran and Streeter are sharing their stories with lawmakers and others — so that more can be done to help lung cancer patients and their caregivers throughout the United States and in Arkansas. 

Myran and Streeter encourage others in Arkansas to advocate for lung cancer research and healthcare protections by contacting their members of Congress, which they can do at Lungforce.org/AdvocacyDay. Learn more about Myran and Streeter’s stories and the LUNG FORCE initiative at LUNGFORCE.org.

For media interested in learning more about LUNG FORCE or scheduling an interview with Shelley Myran or Anne Streeter or a lung cancer expert, contact Jill Smith at [email protected] or call 704-818-4138.