American Lung Association Honors Senator Richard Shelby with Lung Health Research Champion Award

The American Lung Association announced today that Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama has been awarded the Lung Health Research Champion Award. The award, presented during the Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day, recognizes Sen. Shelby’s strong and unwavering support for funding biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), leading to more and better treatments for people with lung cancer and other lung diseases. Additionally, it acknowledges his long-standing support for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funding and advocacy against all appropriations riders.

"We commend Senator Shelby for his exceptional leadership and continuing support for NIH research,” said American Lung Association National President and CEO Harold Wimmer. "For the more than 35 million Americans research improves and saves lives, we thank Senator Shelby for serving as a champion for lung health research."

Sen. Shelby is the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. First elected to the Senate in 1986, he has been a consistent advocate for biomedical and public health research throughout his Congressional career.

"I am grateful to the American Lung Association for presenting me with the Lung Health Research Champion Award. Securing funds for research at institutions such as NIH and CDC is critical when it comes to discovering and furthering knowledge in the field of medicine,” Sen. Shelby said. “I will continue to advocate for funding to develop treatments and, eventually, cures for all diseases, including lung diseases.”

The award was announced in Washington, D.C., when LUNG FORCE Heroes – those whose lives have been impacted by lung cancer – gathered with American Lung Association nationwide staff and volunteers during LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day. They share with members of Congress how lung cancer has impacted their lives, and asked members to protect healthcare for people with pre-existing conditions, and to support $41.6 billion for the National Institutes of Health in Fiscal Year 2020 so there can be better treatments and improved methods of early detection for lung cancer.