Bristow Lung Cancer Advocate To Meet with Congress to Advocate for Lifesaving Research, Public Health Infrastructure and Access to Quality Healthcare

Bristow resident and lung cancer advocate Karen Propheter will speak with her members of Congress during the American Lung Association LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day this Wednesday, April 6, 2022. As a part of the nationwide event, Propheter 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 (NIH), $11B in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 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, Propheter will speak with staff from Senator Tim Kaine and Mark Warner’s office and staff from Congressman Rob Wittman, Don Beyer, and Gerry Connolly’s office to share her personal experience with lung cancer and explain why investments in public health, research funding and quality and affordable healthcare are important to her.  

Propheter lost both her father and uncle to lung cancer and has a dear friend and mother of three preteens fighting the disease. While this April marks the two-year anniversary of the loss of her beloved father Richard Cox (pictured with her on left), and is a very sad and poignant time, Propheter will participate in LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day as a voice for her loved ones and for others impacted by the disease. “I don’t think there is a single person who hasn’t been affected by lung cancer and it’s more important than ever to keep pushing for lifesaving research and affordable healthcare,” said Propheter. 

“Advocacy Day is a much-needed opportunity to drive home to legislators that so many are impacted by lung disease and stress the importance of research and affordable healthcare. My father was lucky to have great health insurance and we were able to navigate his disease without worrying about the bills. There are many others who are less fortunate and are devastated by the financial burden of lung cancer - it’s enough to fight the disease without having to deal with financial and healthcare accessibility burdens,” said Propheter.  

It is estimated that in 2022 alone, there will be more than 5,900 in Virginia 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 Propheter is sharing her 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 Virginia.  

Propheter encourages others in Virginia to advocate for lung cancer research and healthcare protections by contacting their members of Congress, which they can do at Lungforce.org/AdvocacyDay. Learn more about Propheter’s story and the LUNG FORCE initiative at LUNGFORCE.org. 

For media interested in learning more about LUNG FORCE or scheduling an interview with Karen Propheter or a lung cancer expert, contact Val Gleason at [email protected] or 717-971-1123.