We Asked, and You Took Action for Cancer Survivors. Thank You!

By: Cameron Krier Massey, JD, MPH, Director of Government Relations and Program Affairs
Mar 28, 2016 1:45 PM ET

We Asked, and You Took Action for Cancer Survivors. Thank you!

Earlier this month we asked for you to take action, and you delivered!

Thanks to your engagement, 27 members of Congress signed a letter calling for cancer survivor services to be a priority in the FY 2017 federal budget.

Why does this matter? For several reasons.

  • Important decisions about the federal budget are being made right now, and legislators struggle with limited resources. Having a signed letter of support puts members on record and elevates our call to action.
  • The letter sets precedent for future engagement on federal spending and cancer survivorship services. We would hope that members who signed this year will serve as the foundation for additional campaigns.
  • As policy discussions continue about fighting cancer, such as the federal Cancer Moonshot Initiative, this letter can be shared with decision makers to demonstrate congressional support for cancer survivors.
  • The letter identifies U.S. Representatives that want to be leaders for cancer survivors. Going forward, LIVESTRONG and others can now better identify potential partners for future policy actions.

We continue to emphasize that cancer survivors and quality of life during and after treatment are essential to our nation’s fight against the disease. This letter provides a tool to advance that mission within the federal government and beyond. A BIG thanks to LIVESTRONG advocates who helped us build support.

Our sincere appreciation to U.S. Representative Leonard Lance and U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz for their leadership on this initiative, and all the other members who signed. If your U.S. Representative supported the letter, please follow up with a “thank you.”

If you want more information about LIVESTRONG’s policy and advocacy work and updates about federal funding, please sign up here.