Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera received the National Distinguished Advocacy Award Wednesday morning in Washington, D.C., the most prestigious award presented by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), in recognition of her significant contribution in the fight against cancer.
ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, presents the annual award to select lawmakers who demonstrate outstanding leadership in cancer-related public policy advocacy.
“Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera has repeatedly distinguished herself as a leader and true advocate on cancer issues, particularly through her efforts to ensure every Coloradan has access to lifesaving cancer screenings and treatment,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “As a cancer survivor herself, Lt. Governor Primavera understands on a deeply personal level the struggles faced by cancer patients, and that is reflected in her incredible track record of cancer advocacy. ACS CAN is immensely grateful for the Lt. Governor’s advocacy on behalf of Coloradans facing cancer and looks forward to continued partnership on behalf of all who live, work and visit Colorado.”
Primavera is serving her second term as Colorado’s 50th Lieutenant Governor. Prior to being elected, she served in the state legislature from 2007 to 2017. Diagnosed with cancer for the first time in 1988, Primavera brings the perspective of cancer survivor and advocate to all that she does.
At the time of her diagnosis, Primavera was a single mom raising her two daughters. She was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer diagnosis and told she had five years to live. Since her first diagnosis, Primavera has battled cancer three more times and survived. Her personal experience with cancer inspired her to make it her life’s work to ensure every Coloradan has access to affordable, high quality health care.
The Lt. Governor has sponsored and supported several ACS CAN initiatives regarding access to health care, cancer screenings, and tobacco control. Primavera has helped pass a bill establishing the cervical cancer vaccination awareness and educational program and vaccination coverage for Medicaid patients. She also helped to ensure insurance coverage for annual breast cancer screenings for all individuals with at least one risk factor. Additionally, Primavera has helped extend the Colorado Clean Indoor Act to cover casinos, supported bills adopting the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, including a state health insurance exchange and Medicaid expansion, and passed a bill extending for 10 years the state breast and cervical cancer treatment fund and program.
Primavera also founded, chaired, and continues to participate in the Legislative Cancer Caucus, as well.
“It has been an honor serving alongside Lt. Governor Primavera in the fight against cancer,” said R.J. Ours, ACS CAN Colorado Government Relations Director. “Her personal stake in this fight and passion gives patients, survivors, and caretakers a champion in trying to end the cancer burden as we know it. She is well-deserving of this highly prestigious award. I look forward to our continued partnership and the work ahead in fighting a disease that affects far too many Coloradans.”
The award was presented Wednesday as part of the annual ACS CAN Leadership Summit and Lobby Day held in Washington, D.C. Nearly 750 cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones, including several from Colorado, met with their elected officials to urge them to support policies that support policies that increase funding for cancer research and prevention programs and urge lawmakers to pass the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act.