Maine cancer advocates lobby Congress for research funding

WASHINGTON (WABI) - One in three Mainers will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. This week, advocates are on Capitol Hill fighting for the funding to change those odds.

They are attending the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s annual leadership summit and lobby day.

Volunteers will ask members of Congress to support the highest possible funding increases for cancer research and prevention programs.

That includes more than $51 billion for the National Institutes of Health. It is the primary federal agency behind medical and public health research.

Mikala Bousquet and Shawna Ackley of Maine both want it fully funded. They say the research gives patients access to clinical trials.

Ackley, a Scarborough native, is a breast cancer survivor. She also wants to see $230 million fund the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.

“That allows patients to have access to treatments because they could be over income for MaineCare and not have insurance, but the guidelines for income are a bit higher for somebody that is diagnosed with breast cancer, and then they are able to access their care and not delay,” Ackley said.

“For the people at home, know that we are here and we are keeping all of you in our hearts while we talk to the lawmakers. I think especially as an oncology social worker, I want these research dollars to be felt by everyone in the most rural parts of our state,” Bousquet said.

How to get involved

You may not be in the nation’s capital, but your voice can still be heard.

ACS CAN is asking people to take an advocacy action for each of their legislative asks to Congress. More information is available here.