Nebraskans Honor Lives Touched by Cancer with Hopeful Display at State Capitol
Lincoln, Neb. – Hundreds of lit bags decorated with the names of those who’ve fought cancer were displayed Friday evening at the Nebraska State Capitol to send a powerful message of hope and to remind Nebraska and national lawmakers on the importance of ensuring the fight against cancer remains a top priority.
As a result of cancer patients’ increased vulnerability to the coronavirus, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteers will not travel for the annual Lights of Hope ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., where tens of thousands of bags are decorated and adorned with the names of cancer survivors and those lost to this horrible disease. Instead, advocates across the country will celebrate the annual event and bring hope home to Nebraska as part of a larger virtual event in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Guam.
“As we continue to emerge from the worst of the pandemic, cancer patients and survivors need to know we haven’t and we won’t stop advocating for them,” said Matt Prokop, ACS CAN Nebraska grassroots manager. “Every Light of Hope represents a life affected by cancer and is a call to action urging our lawmakers to support us in the fight against cancer,” he added.
As the organization marks its 20th anniversary this year, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society is as determined as ever to ensure cancer remains a top priority for policymakers at every level of government by empowering volunteers across the country to make their voices heard to influence public policy change that saves lives in Nebraska and nationwide.
For details on how to dedicate a Lights of Hope bag, please visit http://action.fightcancer.org/goto/nebraskaloh2021. To see the nationwide event, tune in live on September 18 at 3 p.m. CT by visiting www.fightcancer.org/lights or ACS CAN’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ACSCAN.
