Frankfort, KY – As lawmakers hurried to pass key legislation including the state’s operating budget, they continued to think about 26,500 Kentuckians who will hear the words “you have cancer” this year. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) commends the legislature for maintaining funding for colon cancer prevention and pediatric cancer research during these uncertain times.
Cancer hasn’t stopped. So neither have we. ACS CAN has been working to educate lawmakers on the need to maintain or increase funding for pediatric cancer research through the Pediatric Cancer Trust Fund. Cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death among children ages 1-19 and more than 15,000 children will face a diagnosis this year. ACS CAN also advocated for expanded funding for the state’s colon cancer screening program. In 2020, it is estimated that 2,440 people in Kentucky will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and an estimated 870 will die from the disease.
ACS CAN praises the legislature for passing legislation in these uncertain times that will continue to reduce suffering and death from cancer and thanks Gov. Andy Beshear for supporting these important measures..
To learn more about how ACS CAN is advocating for cancer patients and survivors through this hard time on the state and federal level, or to learn more about how you can support efforts like this, please visit: fightcancer.org.
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.