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

Eastlake resident and lung cancer survivor, Hazel Creel, will travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with the members of Congress during the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day on March 20. As a part of the nationwide event, Creel will join 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).

In 2022, Creel, who had suffered from bronchitis most of her life, came down with what she though was simply a bad cough. For three months, her condition worsened, leaving both Creel and her doctors stumped. She eventually underwent a CT scan and discovered that her symptoms were not the result of a bronchitis flare up, but instead were being caused by a tumor on her right lung. Fortunately, Creel was able to fully recover after undergoing a lobectomy shortly after her diagnosis. After her recovery, Creel was inspired to share her story to impress upon others the importance of lung cancer screenings.

“Having the opportunity to go to Capitol Hill and advocate for building healthier communities is very important to me. As a lung cancer survivor, I am sharing my story in hopes that I can help others. Every deep breath I take reminds me I am a survivor and pushes me to continue advocating for those who are struggling to breath every day,” said Creel.

During Advocacy Day, Creel will speak with her U.S. Senators and Representatives 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.

Creel encourages others in Ohio 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 Creel’s story and the LUNG FORCE initiative at LUNGFORCE.org