American Lung Association Volunteers Advocate for Public Health and Research Funding, Quality and Affordable Healthcare

Today, LUNG FORCE Heroes — those personally impacted by lung cancer — from across the country joined together virtually to participate in the American Lung Association’s annual LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day event. These LUNG FORCE Heroes will ask their members of Congress to support $46.1 billion in funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), $10 billion in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, adequate and accessible healthcare.

“More Americans than ever are surviving lung cancer thanks to research and advancements in treatments, yet it remains the nation’s #1 cause of cancer deaths,” said American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer. “Our annual LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day event is crucial because greater awareness and support for this disease can truly save lives.”

LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day is an annual event for the American Lung Association, activating hundreds of lung cancer patients and caregivers nationwide to advance research funding and patient protections for lung cancer patients everywhere. Since 2016, over 30 new therapies were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat lung cancer – giving life and hope to those living with lung cancer. In addition, the five-year survival rate is now 22.6%, a dramatic increase of 13% in the past five years.

“The treatment breakthroughs funded by the National Institutes of Health have improved the lives of many Americans impacted by lung cancer,” Wimmer said. “Together with our LUNG FORCE Heroes, we are focused on pursuing better early detection, treatments and cures for lung cancer, while ensuring that all patients have access to the care they deserve. We also recognize the need for healthier communities and an increased national effort on prevention, including screening of individuals at high risk for lung cancer.”

Due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Advocacy Day event is being conducted virtually to allow this important message to be heard while also protecting the health and safety of patients and caregivers.

“I’m honored to participate in LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day this year because informing members of Congress about the need to support lung cancer patients is critical,” said LUNG FORCE Hero Ashley Stringer from Edmond, Oklahoma. “Lung cancer patients like me need the hope provided by new, lifesaving treatments resulting from NIH research and healthcare coverage that ensures we have access to those treatments.”  

The American Lung Association and its LUNG FORCE initiative encourages everyone to advocate for increased NIH and CDC funding and quality, affordable and accessible healthcare with members of Congress in Washington, D.C. Visit LUNGFORCE.org to learn more about LUNG FORCE and how you can contact members of Congress.

Media interested in speaking with a LUNG FORCE Hero or an expert about lung cancer and research funding should contact Allison MacMunn at the American Lung Association at [email protected] or 312-801-7628.