Maria Williams: Time to make beating cancer a national priority

Earlier this week, I traveled to Washington, D.C., with more than 750 of my fellow American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteers from across the country to urge Congress to support lifesaving policies that help people prevent and fight cancer. I called on lawmakers to increase federal funding for cancer research, co-sponsor legislation to improve patient quality of life and remove cost barriers to colorectal cancer screenings for seniors.

When I met with Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, I told him that Congress should seize these opportunities to put partisanship aside and make defeating cancer a top national priority.

I let our lawmakers know that people and families touched by cancer are counting on them to support legislation that would help make cancer history. With 1 in every 2 men and 1 in 3 women diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, we can’t let another year pass without taking legislative action.

I know our conversation made a difference in the halls of Congress, and I encourage you to add your voice. Visit www.acscan.org to be connected.

This story was originally published October 5, 2015 at 1:04 PM with the headline "Maria Williams: Time to make beating cancer a national priority."