Minnesota Lung Cancer Advocate Travels to Washington, D.C. to Share Personal Story with Lawmakers

East Grand Forks resident Jacqueline Roberts is a lung cancer advocate who lost her father to the disease.  On Monday, April 7, Roberts will travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with her members of Congress as part of the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day on April 9. She will join more than 40 other LUNG FORCE Heroes from across the nation who have also been impacted by lung cancer. This is the tenth year for the nationwide event that amplifies the voices of lung cancer survivors, caregivers, and advocates to share their personal stories with lawmakers to drive lifesaving change.

For the past 25 years, Roberts has cared for patients and families with cancer diagnoses and cancer-related complications but in the spring of 2017, cancer hit home. Her dad, a navy veteran, went to the doctor due to back pain. Doctors discovered lesions on his spine and further tests revealed he had small cell lung cancer, an aggressive and fast-moving type of cancer. Roberts’ dad ‘s 10-month battle with lung cancer not only had an impact on his wife, children, grandchildren and friends but also on the community.

“Lung cancer screening could have saved his life. Unfortunately, this screening is not offered enough to eligible patients. Individuals whose lung cancer is detected early have a much higher chance of being cured. This needs to be offered more widely to eligible patients,” said Roberts. “My hope for patients and families is to advocate for your health, for screenings, and for continued research into cancer therapies and new treatment options.”

Roberts hopes to educate people about the importance of access to health care and insurance. During Advocacy Day, she will speak with the offices of Senators Klobuchar and Smith and Representative Fischbach to share her personal experience with lung cancer.

This year’s event is particularly crucial as proposed federal budget cuts and policy changes threaten to undermine progress in lung cancer research, prevention and access to affordable care. LUNG FORCE Heroes will share their stories and advocate for protecting lifesaving research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), critical public health prevention and protections at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the importance of Medicaid in providing health coverage for people with and at risk for lung cancer.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day and support Jacqueline Roberts, the Lung Association invites Minnesota residents to join the movement by visiting LUNGFORCE.org/AdvocacyDay and:

• Calling your Senators and Representatives to echo the voices of LUNG FORCE Heroes.
• Sending an email to Congress to advocate for continued support of lung cancer research and healthcare access.
• Engaging with lawmakers on social media to raise awareness and inspire action.

For more details about the 2025 LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day or the American Lung Association’s ongoing efforts to end lung cancer, visit LUNGFORCE.org.