Lisa A. Lacasse: Thank you Rep. Joyce Beatty for acknowledging the efforts of ACS CAN patients, survivors and families

Lisa A. Lacasse posted the following on LinkedIn:

“Thank you Rep. Joyce Beatty for acknowledging the efforts of American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) patients, survivors, and families during Cancer Lobby Day!

Her remarks on the House Floor today: ‘I rise today to express my gratitude to the many volunteers from Ohio’s Third Congressional District who are here this week representing the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. They are working tirelessly to help end cancer for everyone.

Over 750 volunteers, advocates, and patients from across the country are representing almost every congressional district, including constituents from my Third Congressional District of Ohio. They are selflessly donating their time and energy to fight to end cancer… approximately 1,680 Americans die every day from cancer. In Ohio alone, there will be almost 24,000 cancer-related deaths this year, putting Ohio in the sixth highest mortality rate in the country. These numbers are staggering and they serve as a sobering reminder that nearly all of us have had a friend or a family member fight this disease….

One of the biggest existing hurdles to beating cancer is our limited ability to detect it early. That is why the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteers from Ohio are here advocating for increased funding for cancer prevention and research and for the passage of H.R. 2407, the Nancy Garner Sewell Medicare Multi-cancer Early Detection Screening Act…

Early detection delivers hope, especially for Black Americans who face the highest cancer death rate and the shortest survival rate of any racial or ethnic group in the United States. We must do better to understand cancer and to serve our underserved communities. We must work together because working together will ensure that all Americans have equitable access to new cancer detection tools…we have had many spirited debates on this floor but with the over two million new cancer cases expected in 2024, I think we can all agree on a shared goal to fight and to beat cancer. One way of starting this would be for us to pass H.R. 2407…

I also want to take this opportunity to thank and commend ACS CAN’s Board of Director Chair, Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, PhD… a trailblazer with over 40 years of experience in applied health and behavioral medicine research. She made history in becoming ACS CAN’s first black chairwoman. Congratulations to you, Dr. Jeffries Leonard.

This exemplary organization has made it possible for us to meet our constituents, to hear the stories, and to understand better how cancer burdens families, far too many families. And lastly… I would like to say that it is important for us as members of Congress to support investments in cancer research and innovation that will help prevent, detect, and treat the families and the individuals with this disease… let me once again thank ACS CAN and their volunteers for their tireless dedication and diligence in the fight against cancer.’”

Alique Topalian reposted this, adding the following:

“This was one of my meetings yesterday!!!! So amazing to know it had this much impact!!”

Source: Lisa A. Lacasse/LinkedIn and Alique Topalian/LinkedIn

Lisa A. Lacasse, President of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), has an impactful leadership in healthcare advocacy. Leading ACS CAN’s nationwide public policy advocacy agenda with her oversight of a dedicated team in Washington, D.C., she ensures effective advocacy efforts at the highest levels. Beyond her role at ACS CAN, Lacasse’s commitment to public health extends to serving on the board for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

Alique Topalian is a research scientist specializing in Survivorship and Supportive Services at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center. She has served as a Patient Experience Council Consultant at Servier and as a Research Consultant at 1N5. Her research primarily focuses on psychosocial programming and community engagement within the fields of oncology and mental health.