Local Lung Cancer Survivor Travels to Washington, D.C. to Urge Lawmakers to Support Lifesaving Research and Public Health Funding

Denver resident and lung cancer survivor, Jamie Ellefson, travels to Washington, D.C. to meet with her members of Congress during the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day on March 20. As a part of the nationwide event, Ellefson joins more than 40 other people across the country who have been impacted by lung cancer to ask lawmakers to support $51.3 billion in research funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and $11.6 billion in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“I want to share my story with other people affected by lung cancer because anyone with lungs can get lung cancer. I don't just want to be a lung cancer victim, I want to have a voice and stand up and advocate for funding for lung cancer research and treatment so hopefully one day this dreaded disease will have a cure,” said Jamie Ellefson, Advocate of the American Lung Association.

During Advocacy Day, Ellefson will speak with Senator Michael Bennet and Senator John Hickenlooper to share her personal experience with lung cancer and explain why investments in public health and research funding are important to her.

Thousands of LUNG FORCE Heroes from across the country have raised their voices since 2014 to urge their members of Congress in Washington, D.C., to support robust, sustainable and predictable federal funding increases for lung cancer research, prevention, as well as quality and affordable healthcare. LUNG FORCE Heroes have succeeded in helping increase NIH lung cancer research funding by over 130% since the inception of LUNG FORCE in 2014. NIH has also funded research that has led to new treatments that are saving lives today. Since 2016, over 50 new therapies have been approved by the FDA to treat lung cancer – giving life and hope to those impacted by this disease.

Ellefson encourages others in Colorado to advocate for lung cancer research and healthcare protections by contacting their members of Congress, which they can do at Lung.org/AdvocacyDay. Learn more about Ellefson’s story and the LUNG FORCE initiative at LUNGFORCE.org.