Taking Action to Advocate for Research Funding
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The LUNGevity Action Network is seizing an important opportunity to ask Congress to increase funding for the Lung Cancer Research Program (LCRP) at the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP). |
Along with many other lung cancer organizations, we’re advocating for an increase from $20 million to $60 million for lung cancer research in the next fiscal year. (For additional background on the LCRP and CDMRP, you can watch this webinar.)
To make this increase a reality, we’ve made it easy for our lung cancer community to reach out to policy makers to share stories and experiences and explain why we need more funding for lung cancer research.
Please send a letter to your Representative using this simple form and ask them to sign this Dear Colleague letter to the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee requesting $60 million for the Lung Cancer Research Program in the next Department of Defense Appropriations Bill. The deadline to write to your Representative is April 25.
Be on the lookout for an additional opportunity to contact your Senators to ask them to sign on to a Senator “Dear Colleague” letter to increase funding for the Lung Cancer Research Program.
New ALK Patient Gateway Launched
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The latest in a series of targeted patient resources, LUNGevity’s new ALK Patient Gateway provides patients with ALK-positive lung cancer and their caregivers a central online hub for information, scientific news, and webinars that are specific to their cancer subtype. The Gateway also helps you find supportive communities of fellow survivors and caregivers. |
The ALK Patient Gateway joins the KRAS and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) platforms on gateway.lungevity.org. Other dedicated Gateways to come in 2022 include small cell lung cancer; EGFR mutations and fusions; and other rare mutations such as ROS1, MET, NTRK, BRAF, and RET.
Brendon Stiles, MD, Joins LUNGevity Scientific Advisory Board
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We are excited to welcome the newest member of our SAB, Dr. Brendon Stiles. Dr. Stiles is the Chief of Thoracic Surgery and Surgical Oncology at Montefiore Health System and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and the Associate Director for Surgical Services in the Montefiore-Einstein Cancer Center. |
With over 20 years of experience treating lung and esophageal cancers, and a passion for eliminating health disparities, Dr. Stiles’ contributions to the Foundation will be invaluable.
Read more in the press release here.
LUNGevity Offers FreeWill Estate Planning Service
Everyone, regardless of their health status, should have a will. That’s why we’re so excited to announce our partnership with a resource to bring you peace of mind: FreeWill. This no-cost, online tool can guide you through the process of creating a legally valid will in just 20 minutes and help you put together other estate planning documents that may be essential for your future. An up-to-date plan is an act of compassion that protects your loved ones and can even make an impact on the causes close to your heart, so make yours today.
Taking eRACE Lung Cancer® to New Heights
eRACE Lung Cancer® is a month-long activity challenge that brings together runners, swimmers, cyclists, and other participants from across the country with one common goal: to erase lung cancer.
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Jen Phillips—a newly diagnosed lung cancer survivor—and her partner Jodie Smith are co-captains of Jen’s Stage 4 Clingers. They’re aiming to be the top eRACE Lung Cancer® team by hiking 100 miles this May and have already raised over $5,000! Both highly active individuals prior to Jen’s diagnosis, they’re looking forward to spending time together in the great outdoors with their two dogs. |
Says Jen, “It will be a long road, but I’m ready. This is my new normal. I know I have an amazing support system to help me every step of the way. The best views come from the hardest climb.”
Hiking, walking, running, and biking are all great ways to participate throughout the month of May!
LUNGevity Blogs and Webinars
LUNGevity blogs and webinars bring you the latest information on issues that affect the lung cancer community. Recent posts include tips for caregivers to maintain their own mental health through self-care practices and an interview with Career Development Awardee Carl Gay, MD, PhD, on the potential of personalized medicine for small cell lung cancer.
LUNGevity’s Executive Director of Research, Upal Basu Roy, PhD, MPH, presented a recap of the latest news from the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). Joined by SAB member Patrick Forde, MD (MB, BCH), the two discussed the results of the Checkmate-816 clinical trial, which led to an exciting new FDA approval for a combination therapy given before surgery to remove lung tumors. Check out the video here.
