New Jersey Cancer Action Center

Earlier this week, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy released his proposed budget for 2025. In response, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) New Jersey Government Relations Director Quinton Law issued the following statement, highlighting how Governor Murphy can amplify his intended impact of improving public health and addressing the deficit by increasing the cigarette tax by $1 per pack.

Last month, the American Cancer Society (ACS) released its annual report on cancer facts and trends, which found that, between 2017 and 2021, New Jersey had the highest incidence of pancreatic cancer behind D.C. It also found that progress is lagging for pancreatic cancer with incidence and mortality both increasing, and the 5-year survival for 9 out of 10 people diagnosed with tumors in the exocrine pancreas sitting at just 8%. Despite the concerning data, local pancreatic cancer survivor Nick Pifani is optimistic and views a path forward, in part through expanded access to biomarker testing. He is calling on leaders to help to improve access to biomarker testing when Assembly Bill 4163 / Senate Bill 3098 come under consideration.

The following is a statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) New Jersey Government Relations Director Quinton Law: “As anybody touched by the disease can tell you, cancer demands a high price. Physically, emotionally and financially, it is a draining disease where the costs can—very quickly—feel insurmountable. This is the case for patients across the cancer continuum. New Jerseyans are looking for state leaders to intervene and prevent the costs of care from trending upward and potentially trapping them in a lifetime of medical debt. Cancer patients and survivors throughout the state were heartened to hear Governor Murphy isolate affordability as a priority in his State of the State address. In the coming year, ACS CAN urges lawmakers to focus their efforts on three areas to alleviate the financial burden of disease, starting with preventing illness for a group of New Jerseyans at heightened risk of cancer: Atlantic City casino workers.

Two years after Ocean City local Jeanmarie Mason’s breast cancer returned and spread to her bones, her daughter Julie Groob also experienced a recurrence of her cervical cancer, bringing the two closer together than ever and uniting them in the fight against cancer. As volunteers with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), Jeanmarie and Julie were among key voices in securing a medical debt relief victory in 2024. The pair are approaching the legislative session in 2025 eager to share their stories and advance critical proposals to limit the burden of disease across the cancer continuum.