Minnesota Lung Cancer Advocate Meets with Congress to Discuss Lifesaving Research, Public Health Infrastructure and Access to Quality Healthcare

Steven Schoenecker will join volunteers from across America to support lung cancer patients everywhere

Minnesota resident Steven Schoenecker lost his beloved wife Joan to lung cancer over one year ago. Now, he will meet with his members of Congress and explain why investments in public health, research funding and quality, affordable healthcare are important to him during the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day on April 6, 2022. 

“I would like to encourage everyone to continue their support and help the Lung Association increase its lung cancer research funding to ensure adequate and affordable health care for all and earlier detection of this terrible disease,” said Schoenecker.

In the fall of 2019, Joan developed a dry cough and doctors initially thought she had reflux. Around a year later, Joan was diagnosed with stage 4 squamous cell lung cancer. Informed that there was no cure and surgery was not an option, she underwent a series of unsuccessful treatments — an oral cancer drug, then four rounds of chemotherapy and lastly, radiation. On January 22, 2021, Joan passed away at the age of 60.

As a part of the nationwide event, Schoenecker will join more than 50 people across the country who have been impacted by lung cancer to advocate for $49 billion in research funding for the National Institutes of Health, $11 billion in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and to protect expanded access to quality, affordable healthcare.

Due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 Advocacy Day will be conducted virtually to allow this important message to be heard while also protecting the health and safety of patients and caregivers. During the virtual Advocacy Day, Schoenecker will speak with Senator Tina Smith’s office, Senator Amy Klobuchar’s office and Representative Angie Craig’s office and share his personal experience of losing his wife to lung cancer.

It is estimated that in 2022 alone, there will be 3,980 people in Minnesota diagnosed with lung cancer, but there is hope. More people than ever are surviving lung cancer, in part because patients and caregivers are urging their policymakers to take action. That’s why Schoenecker is sharing his story with lawmakers and others — so that more can be done to help lung cancer patients and their caregivers throughout the United States and in Minnesota.

Schoenecker encourages others in Minnesota to advocate for lung cancer research and healthcare protections by contacting their members of Congress at Lungforce.org/AdvocacyDay. Learn more about Schoenecker’s story and the LUNG FORCE initiative at LUNGFORCE.org.

For more information, contact:

Dana Kauffman
312-940-7624
[email protected]

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