CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Dec. 4, 2017 – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network recognized U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Del. Amy Summers (R-Taylor) today for leading efforts to help cancer patients achieve a better quality of life. ACS CAN presented the awards this morning at its health policy forum at CAMC Cancer Center in Charleston.
Capito received the Congressional Impact Award for her support of the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act. This legislation, still pending in Congress, would make it easier for patients with long-term illnesses like cancer to access palliative care – a type of specialized, coordinated medical care that emphasizes symptom relief and quality of life.
“Palliative care is one of the fastest-growing trends in health care, but not everyone has equal access to it,” said Juliana Frederick, West Virginia government relations director for ACS CAN. “This bill – also known as PCHETA – would improve this by expanding training, research and awareness of palliative care. As the first Republican cosponsor of the legislation, Senator Capito not only emphasized that PCHETA is a priority for West Virginians, but for all Americans.”
ACS CAN also recognized Summers for similar work. She accepted the Distinguished Advocacy Award as the lead sponsor of West Virginia’s new indoor tanning law, which prohibits anyone under age 18 from using an indoor tanning device. In the upcoming legislative session, Summers will lead efforts on the state’s own palliative care bill.
“Delegate Summers is a strong champion of cancer-fighting legislation, and we’re grateful that she will lead the way for palliative care access in West Virginia,” Frederick said. “Because of her work last session, our state took a critical step toward eliminating one of the most common forms of cancer among young people. As a melanoma survivor herself, Delegate Summers understands the cancer journey from the inside out, and we look forward to continuing to work alongside her.”
Del. Summers received the award at ACS CAN’s event today, and Mary Elizabeth Eckerson – state director for Sen. Capito – accepted the senator’s honor on her behalf.