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

Leicester resident and lung cancer advocate, Michael Hoffman, will travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with his members of Congress during the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day on March 20. As a part of the nationwide event, Hoffman 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).

Hoffman has been crusading against lung cancer with the American Lung Association for more than twenty years—beginning with volunteering at the Fight For Air Climb to eventually serving as chair of the Southeast Board of Directors. The memory of his younger sister, Meg, has been his driving force. Meg was diagnosed with advanced stage small cell lung cancer in May 2004, after she went to her doctor with what she thought was another bout of bronchitis. Though the cancer initially went into remission after chemotherapy and radiation treatments, it returned and metastasized into her spine and brain. Meg passed three days after her 50th birthday, 18 months after her diagnosis.

“My sister was a fighter. I knew she wasn’t going to take her diagnosis laying down. In a way it was like she was going into battle—a battle that too many others are fighting,” Hoffman recounted. “I struggled along with her as she fought her battle, but my struggle was for a different reason. I struggled because I didn’t know what to do to help her. Aren’t big brothers supposed to take care of their little sisters? It was very frustrating for me to sit by and watch and feel so helpless.”

He added: “I strongly believe in what the American Lung Association represents and everything it does for all the people suffering from some form of lung disease. I am honored to be participating in the 2024 Lung Force Advocacy Day.”

During Advocacy Day, Hoffman will speak with his U.S. senators and representative to share Meg’s story and explain why investments in public health and research funding are important to him.

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.

Hoffman encourages others in North Carolina 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 Michael Hoffman and Meg’s story and the LUNG FORCE initiative at LUNGFORCE.org.

Get involved and help the mission of the American Lung Association. The Fight For Air Climb in Charlotte is coming up on Saturday, March 23 at The VUE. Learn more at ClimbCharlotte.org.