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

Morton County resident Sue Balcom is a lung cancer advocate living with lung cancer. On Monday April 7, Balcom 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. Balcom 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.
                                                                                              
In 2022, Balcom developed a dry irritating cough, felt fatigued and a little stuffy. She drove four hours to witness the birth of her granddaughter but on the way back home she felt like her head was going to explode. She got progressively worse over the next three days with coughing and breathing issues, but no fever. Balcom went to see her doctor where she underwent several tests for the extreme coughing. She was later diagnosed with stage III lung cancer in January 2023. Balcom believes she wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for insurance, research, her doctors and Medicare.

“For people not as fortunate as myself, Medicaid and affordable health insurance are critical. Everyone deserves the opportunity to seek medical help when symptoms arise,” said Balcom. “I am praying that continued research will reveal a new course of treatment for my lung cancer, now Stage IV with Mets, as I have reached the ceiling of available FDA-approved drugs...I can LIVE with my cancer, I simply don’t want to die from it. And remember, anyone with lungs can get lung cancer.”

Balcom leaves for Washington, D.C. on Monday April 7, and she hopes to educate people about the importance of access to health care and insurance. During Advocacy Day, she will speak with Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven, and Representative Julie Fedorchak and their staff 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 Sue Balcom, the Lung Association invites North Dakota 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.