The 2026 ASCO Advocacy Summit takes place April 20 to 21 in Washington, D.C., bringing oncology professionals together to meet with lawmakers to discuss cancer research funding, prior authorization reform, and patient access to care. This event, featuring a surrounding Week of Action (April 20-24), focuses on legislative initiatives to improve cancer care.
Don’t miss these key takeaways from the summit, featuring a closer look at the legislative priorities and collaborative efforts shaping oncology, including the recognition of this year’s Advocacy Champions:
Jasmine Kamboj, Medical Oncologist and Hematologist at Mayo Clinic, Podcast Editor and Host of the ‘Empowering Oncologists’ podcast at OncoDaily.
“Flying to my fav meeting of the year, ASCO Advocacy Summit.
3 priorities:
- Research Funding
- FixPriorAuth
- Permanently extend Telehealth Flexibilities
100s of Oncology professionals- one mission- Advocate for Cancer Care
Can’t wait!”
Jasmine Kamboj later added:
“Spectacular session on Telehealth flexibilities- we need permanent extension for continued cancer care for our patients.
Thanks, Wade Swenson of the Rural Cancer Institute, for sharing your insights!
Thanks, Martin Palmeri, for a wonderful moderation…”
Ruiling Yuan, Hematologist/Oncologist at Self Regional Healthcare, Adjunct Assistant Professor at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine and Medical University of South Carolina.
“Honored to be named ASCO 2025 Advocate of the Year.
Grateful to the incredible American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) staff, leadership, and Advocacy team for building such a powerful platform, this work wouldn’t happen without you.
Thankful for Team South Carolina (Joanna Metzner-Sadurski, Abirami Sivapiragasam, Emily Touloukian, Alex Yang) for your partnership.
A special thank you to Jasmine Kamboj, your mentorship, encouragement, and empowerment truly changed my path.
This award belongs to my patients. They are why advocacy matters.
From no representation to strong, year-round engagement, so proud of how far SC has come.
Just getting started….”
Celebrating her colleague’s achievement, Jasmine Kamboj posted:
“A heartfelt congratulations to my dear friend, my bestie and my partner in crime for the advocacy efforts…
Ruiling – I am so proud of you!
Very well deserved, my dear friend and I can’t wait to celebrate you.”
Wade Swenson, Founder of Rural Cancer Institute and Medical Director, Medical Oncologist, and Hematologist at Lakewood Health System.
“Thanks, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), for naming me an Advocacy Champion for my continued commitment to advocating for issues affecting the oncology community.
Wade Swenson also shared insights from the summit:
“I had the privilege of speaking at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC, on expanding access to care through telehealth.
I joined a strong panel moderated by Martin Palmeri, alongside Alexis Apple (VP of Public Policy, American Telemedicine Association – ATA), Tyler Adams (Health Legislative Assistant for Rep. Mike Thompson, D-CA), and John Quinn (Chief of Staff for Rep. David Schweikert, R-AZ).
Our discussion focused on a critical issue: making Medicare telehealth flexibilities permanent. These flexibilities have been lifelines. I shared what telehealth means on the ground at Lakewood Health System in rural Minnesota, and what’s at stake if Congress lets these flexibilities lapse: longer travel distances, delayed care, and worse outcomes.”
Devika Das, Associate Director, Clinical Affairs at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
“Thank you, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) for naming me an Advocacy Champion at the ASCO Advocacy Summit.
I am proud to advocate on issues like prior authorization reform, continued Telehealth and NCI/NIH funding.
Looking forward to continuing my involvement next year!”
Amanda Nizam, GU Medical Oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic.
“Thank you, ASCO, for naming me an Advocacy Champion at the ASCO Advocacy Summit.
This year, I am proud to advocate for:
- Making Medicare telehealth flexibilities permanent
- Reducing prior authorization burdens
- Supporting robust funding for the NIH and the NCI.”
Erika Hamilton, Chair, Executive Committee, Breast and Breast Program Lead at Sarah Cannon Research Institute.
“Thanks, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), for naming me an Advocacy Champion for my continued commitment to advocating for issues affecting the oncology community.
You can be an Advocacy Champion too by getting involved today.”
Jasmine Kamboj, featured ASCO PAC Chair, Ed Balaban:
“The great Dr Ed Balaban, talking about the ASCO-PAC, your contributions can make impact cancer care through PAC.
ASCO staff works really hard in helping build relationships at the Hill through PAC.
Please consider contributing today!”
Estela Rodriguez, Associate Director of Community Outreach in Thoracic Oncology at the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“Clifford Hudis, ASCO CEO, Kicking off ASCO Advocacy Summit Capitol Hill Legislative Training with 180+ oncologists from all 50 states – showing up to advance policies that improve cancer care for patients.”
Fumiko Ladd Chino, Radiation Oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
“Proud to be an ASCO Advocacy Champion 2026.
Our goal is to ensure that every patient with cancer has access to high-quality, high-value cancer care, no matter who they are or where they live.
Get involved from home today.”
Mark Walshauser, Medical Oncologist and Partner at Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois.
“Thank you, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), for naming me an Advocacy Champion at the ASCO Advocacy Summit.
This year, I am proud to advocate for:
- Making Medicare telehealth flexibilities permanent
- Reducing prior authorization burdens
- Supporting robust funding for the National Institutes of Health & National Cancer Institute (NCI)”
Joanna Metzner-Sadurski, Medical Doctor at Self Regional Healthcare and Executive Director of Oncology101.org.
“American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Advocacy Summit, great to meet an oncology legend, Clifford Hudis, whose work on CALGB 9741 helped redefine how we deliver chemotherapy and improved outcomes for so many patients.
Now, as a leader within the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), he continues to champion the next frontier-advancing AI in oncology.
Fittingly, that same day we met with rep. Jay Obernolte who supports responsible AI policy.
The continuity is powerful-from practice-changing clinical trials to shaping the future of AI in cancer care.
Support NIH.
Support access to care.
Support telehealth.”
Vidya Kollu, Hematology Oncologist at Covenant Health.
“At the ASCO Advocacy Summit, I had the privilege of witnessing something deeply meaningful: advocacy, mentorship, and representation all in action.
Seeing Dr. Ruiling Yuan, honored as ASCO Advocate of the Year, was inspiring in itself. But what stood out even more was the reminder that behind every strong advocate are leaders who make space for others to grow.
Watching mentors like Dr. Jasmine Kamboj Jasmie Kamboj, support Dr. Yuan in their advocacy journey was a beautiful example of how representation is strengthened when we intentionally support, guide, and elevate one another.
These moments matter. They remind us that advocacy is not only about policy change. It is also about building community, opening doors, and ensuring that more diverse voices are present in the conversations shaping the future of cancer care.
Proud to witness it. Grateful to learn from it.
Who has mentored or inspired you in your advocacy journey?”
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
“Congratulations, Rep. John Joyce and Rep. Kim Schrier, our Congressional Champion for Cancer Care Award recipients!
Thanks for your dedication to advancing bipartisan policies that improve cancer care.
Learn more. ”
Other articles about ASCO Advocacy Summit on OncoDaily.
