Making the cancer fight a top priority from Norwalk to D.C.

On Sept. 10 I had the honor of joining nearly 700 of my fellow American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteers from across the country in Washington, D.C., to urge our lawmakers to make cancer a national priority.

Together, we called on Congress to support lifesaving policies that help people prevent and better treat cancer. I had the opportunity to meet with Nicholas Larsen, Legislative Assistant to Rep. Jim Himes; Alison Council, Legislative Correspondent to Sen. Richard Blumenthal; and Muad Hrezi, Legislative Correspondent to Sen. Chris Murphy. We asked for their support in increasing federal funding for cancer research, removing cost barriers to colorectal cancer screenings for seniors, backing legislation to improve patient quality of life and preventing Big Tobacco from targeting kids with flavored products.

Congress should seize the opportunity to pass critical, bipartisan legislation that can help save lives and end cancer as we know it.

I also let our lawmakers know that their constituents in Connecticut and many others across the country rely on them to support legislation that will help reduce the cancer burden and protect our communities. With about 1,660 people dying from cancer every day, we must take legislative action on these important issues.

I encourage you to join us, giving us a stronger and louder voice in the fight against cancer. Visit fightcancer.org to be connected to people like me in your community.

Joe Barbetta Volunteer, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Norwalk