RALEIGH, N.C. - More than 50 cancer advocates, including patients, survivors and caregivers from around North Carolina will travel to the General Assembly on Wednesday, April 16, to meet with lawmakers and ask for their support of House Bill 567 to increase access to biomarker testing. When someone faces a cancer diagnosis, biomarker testing may help their doctors determine the right therapy or treatment. It can save patients from enduring treatments that may not work, saving critical time in a cancer fight.
The visit is part of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) annual Cancer Action Day, an event that brings volunteer advocates together to call on lawmakers to make fighting cancer a policy priority. There will be a news conference at 10 a.m. on Bicentennial Plaza.
“Biomarker testing has been a crucial part of my journey,” said Ethan Davis, a brain cancer patient and ACS CAN volunteer who will be in attendance. “In just one year of the targeted medication, my tumor has melted away. Thanks to biomarker testing and targeted therapy, the trajectory of my cancer has completely changed."
“We are proud to fight to make sure all North Carolinians can achieve the best chance to survive cancer, especially when more than 70,000 North Carolinians will receive a cancer diagnosis this year,” said John Broome, government relations director for ACS CAN in North Carolina.
To date, 21 states have passed legislation to ensure coverage of biomarker testing, including Georgia, Maryland and Kentucky.
WHO: Cancer patients, survivors and advocates
WHAT: Cancer Action Day for Biomarker Testing Access Legislation
SCHEDULE: Wednesday, April 16
8:30-9:45 a.m. Training at First Baptist Church
10 a.m. News Conference at Bicentennial Plaza
10:30-1 p.m. Hallifax Mall