Local Lung Cancer Survivor Travels to Washington, D.C. to Urge Lawmakers to Support Lifesaving Research, Prevention and Access to Care

On Wednesday, March 25, Columbus resident and lung cancer survivor, Nancy Vandespool, will meet with her members of Congress for the American Lung Association’s 11th annual LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. She will share her story and ask lawmakers to support $51.3 billion in research funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and $11.6 billion in public health funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as improve access to quality, affordable healthcare coverage.

This is Vandespool’s second time on the Hill advocating for those impacted by lung cancer. She has been a courageous advocate for nearly twenty years. In 2008, a persistent cough and new backpain brought her to the hospital for testing. The diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer shocked her. She was only 38 years old and had never smoked. The majority of her family was in Puerto Rico, where Vandespool is originally from. She navigated treatment with their strong support, along with the support of her daughter, and persevered. After several rounds of treatment, including immunotherapy, she has been in remission since 2017. She has immersed herself in the LUNG FORCE community and is fueled by her experiences to do good in the world and end this devastating disease.

“I share my voice because we all need a hug and a smile. There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel,” said Vandespool. “Research has given me more time with my family and friends—time to watch my grandson/grandchildren grow. I want the same for others.”

During LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day, Vandespool will speak with Ohio members of Congress and their staff to share her personal experience with lung cancer and explain why investments in research funding, public health and access to care are important to her.

Since 2016, thousands of LUNG FORCE Heroes from across the country have put a human face to the nation’s leading cause of cancer death and urged lawmakers to support robust, sustainable and predictable federal funding increases for lung cancer research and prevention, as well as quality and affordable healthcare. These efforts have contributed to increasing the five-year lung cancer survival rate to nearly 30%, which is a 26% increase over the last five years.

On March 25, support the LUNG FORCE Heroes by visiting LUNGFORCE.org/AdvocacyDay, and contact your senators and representative and ask them to support $51.3 billion in research funding for the NIH and $11.6 billion in public health funding for the CDC, as well as improve access to quality, affordable healthcare coverage. 

For more details about the American Lung Association’s ongoing efforts to end lung cancer, visit LUNGFORCE.org.