ST. LOUIS, Mo. – May 19, 2016 – St. Louis college student and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteer Allison Johnson traveled to Washington, D.C. this week to share the story of her cancer diagnosis. She urged lawmakers, including Sens. Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill and Congresswoman Ann Wagner, to increase funding for childhood cancer research.
Johnson joined more than 150 other cancer patients, survivors and family members in the nation’s capital for Childhood Cancer Action Day, a two-day event organized by the Alliance for Childhood Cancer, of which ACS CAN is a member. Participants advocated for legislation that would give pediatric researchers essential tools to fight childhood cancer and increase funding for childhood cancer research at the National Cancer Institute.
At age 19, Johnson was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma – a cancer that affects the bones and surrounding tissue – during her sophomore year at University of Missouri. She returned home to receive treatment at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and underwent 14 rounds of chemotherapy. This month, she celebrated two years of being cancer-free.
This year, more than 15,000 children under the age of 19 will be diagnosed with cancer in the United States.
WHAT: Spokesperson available to share her battle with cancer and highlight the importance of funding and expanding childhood cancer research.
WHO: Johnson traveled to Washington, D.C. to urge her members of Congress to increase funding for pediatric cancer research
WHEN: Available for interviews, May 19-27
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Tracy Lytwyn Fischer
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Phone: 317-344-7803
Cell: 630-452-6656
Email: [email protected]
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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.