PORTLAND – Both candidates for Oregon’s Congressional District 5, Jamie McLeod-Skinner and Lori Chavez-DeRemer, have publicly stated their positions on how, if elected, they would work to make cancer a national priority. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is contacting federal and state candidates across the country and encouraging them to establish their positions on laws and policies that help people in the fight against cancer. This effort is part of ACS CAN’s national Cancer Votes campaign – the country’s leading voter education program for cancer-related issues and policies.
“While we have made great progress against cancer, the disease still kills more than 1,600 Americans everyday – over 22 people a day here in Oregon alone. Fighting cancer must be a national priority,” said Jamie Dunphy, Oregon director of government relations for ACS CAN. “Lawmakers have the power to directly impact the lives of millions of cancer patients and their families, which is why it is so important that the public understands where candidates stand on the issues that are critical to fighting and preventing the disease.”
ACS CAN, the nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, asked candidates in the Oregon’s Congressional District 5 race to publicly state their positions on cancer research funding, and advancing equity in clinical trials for emerging cancer treatments.
Specifically, ACS CAN is asking candidates to answer the following questions:
- Saving Lives Through Cancer Research: Rarely has the importance of medical research been more apparent than during this ongoing pandemic. Increasing federal funding for medical research is critical to promoting further discovery. Will you vote for sustainable annual increases in cancer research funding for the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute?
- Access to Health Care: Access to affordable, quality health care can determine whether you live or die from cancer. Will you support legislation to provide Americans access to affordable, quality health care that will ensure access to health insurance for everyone in the Medicaid coverage gap and ensure greater affordability of Affordable Care Act marketplace plans?
- Equity in Clinical Trials: Clinical trials are key to advancing new standards of care that can improve survival and quality of life for people with cancer, but to be successful, trials must have adequate participation, including diverse participation from currently underrepresented groups. Will you support legislation to ensure more patients—regardless of their race, ethnicity, economic means or geographic location—have a chance to enroll in clinical trials?
Researchers estimate that in 2022, approximately 25,000 Oregon residents will be diagnosed with cancer and nearly 8,500 people will die from the disease. Nationwide, there will be 1.9 million new cancer cases this year, and more than 600,000 deaths.
Throughout the campaign season, volunteers across the country will be attending candidate events, canvassing neighborhoods, holding rallies and distributing voter guides that include the candidates’ positions on cancer issues.
ACS CAN is strictly nonpartisan and does not endorse, oppose, or contribute to any candidate or political party. For more information or to view the candidates’ response to the ACS CAN questionnaire, visit cancervotes.org.
About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) makes cancer a top priority for policymakers at every level of government. ACS CAN empowers volunteers across the country to make their voices heard to influence evidence-based public policy change that improves the lives of people with cancer and their families. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, find, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We’re more determined than ever to stand together with our volunteers to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.
