RECOGNIZING AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY CANCER ACTION NETWORK OHIO VOLUNTEERS

On 2024-09-18, Representative Joyce Beatty (D-OH-3) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY CANCER ACTION NETWORK OHIO VOLUNTEERS" in the House. The speech addressed healthcare and also covered taxes, trade policy. It referenced legislation: HR2407.

RECOGNIZING AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY CANCER ACTION NETWORK OHIO VOLUNTEERS

Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 145 (Wednesday, September 18, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 145 (Wednesday, September 18, 2024)] [House] [Page H5323] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY CANCER ACTION NETWORK OHIO VOLUNTEERS The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Beatty) for 5 minutes. Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my gratitude to the many volunteers from Ohio's Third Congressional District who are here this week representing the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. They are working tirelessly to help end cancer for everyone. There are over 750 volunteers, advocates, and patients from across the country here, representing almost every congressional district, including constituents from my Third Congressional District of Ohio. They are selflessly donating their time and energy to fight to end cancer. Mr. Speaker, approximately 1,680 Americans die every day from cancer. In Ohio alone, there will be almost 24,000 cancer-related deaths this year, putting Ohio at the sixth highest mortality rate in the country. These numbers are staggering, and they serve as a sobering reminder that nearly all of us have had a friend or family member fight this disease. Just 2 months ago, in this very Chamber, we grieved the loss of my dear friend, our colleague, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who sadly passed after her courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. One of the biggest existing hurdles to beating cancer is our limited ability to detect it early. That is why the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteers from Ohio are here, advocating for increased funding for cancer prevention and research and for the passage of H.R. 2407, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act. This bill is led by my friend and our colleague, Congresswoman Terri Sewell. She would like to increase access to earlier and simpler cancer screening. Early detection delivers hope, especially for Black Americans, who face the highest cancer death rate and shortest survival rate of any racial or ethnic group in the United States. We must do better to understand cancer and to serve our underserved communities. We must work together because working together will ensure that all Americans have equitable access to new cancer detection tools. Mr. Speaker, we have had many spirited debates on this floor, but with the over 2 million new cancer cases expected in 2024, I think we can all agree on a shared goal to fight and beat cancer. One way of starting this would be for us to pass H.R. 2407. That is why I thank the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the advocacy arm of the American Cancer Society. They are the leading organization urging increased funding for cancer research and cancer prevention. Also, I thank and commend ACS CAN's board of directors chair, Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard. Dr. Jeffries Leonard is a trailblazer with over 40 years of experience in applied health and behavioral medicine research. She made history in becoming ACS CAN's first Black chairwoman. I congratulate her. This exemplary organization has made it possible for us to meet our constituents, to hear their stories, and to understand better how cancer burdens far too many families. Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that it is important for us as Members of Congress to support investments in cancer research and innovation that will help prevent, detect, and treat the families and individuals with this disease. Mr. Speaker, let me once again thank ACS CAN and their volunteers for their tireless dedication and diligence in the fight against cancer. ____________________

Referenced legislation: HR2407, HR2407