A huge thank you to Maryland ACS CAN legislative ambassadors who attended the annual ACS CAN Leadership Summit and Lobby Day. Ambassadors were on the Hill on September 13, 2016 to urge Congress to make cancer a national priority. The following ambassadors attended representing their congressional districts:Jacqueline Beale, State Lead Ambassador, Michele Williams (CD-1), Tori Lewitt (CD-2), Nicole Harrision (CD-3), O'Cheye Williams (CD-5) Becki Burral-Phetteplace (CD-6), Chanell Benn (CD-7), and Peggy Kidwell (CD-8) along with ACS CAN Grassroots Manager, Sherry McCammon and Government Relations Director Bonita Pennino. We also had the pleasure of Dr. Kevin Cullen, director of the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center joining us.
Ambassadors urged their US Senators and Represenatives to increase funding on cancer research and prevention programs, and pass legisation to improve palliative care and close the loophole for colorectal screenings for Medicaid patients.
After months of delay and hard negotiations, Congress has finally passed a funding bill! The bill includes a small increase for cancer research and prevention programs.