A Day On Capitol Hill

This was my first year participating in anything like this. I was nervous, anxious, and excited all in one. Was I ready to rally to our congress for the research and funding that is needed for our lung cancer community? Yes! I will push the fear down deep and do what I can. Thankfully you did not go it alone. You are in a group with a leader.

Boarding the buses

We were over 170 patients strong this year! We loaded up on two buses heading to Capitol Hill. The rain coming did not stop this amazing community, we shared umbrellas and marched on!

Speaking to our legislators

As we walked into the first Senators Office I could feel a lump in my throat, I knew fear couldn’t have control, I had to be strong. The second office got easier and so on. It was as if the fear left and we had to be heard.

The Georgia group had six confirmed meetings. Four of the six verbally shared they had a close family member who had lung cancer, 4 of the 6! That is powerful.

After a long day of walking, begging, and pleading for a mere 6 million to be restored I was mentally and physically at complete exhaustion. Hoping that we were heard and made a difference. Hoping that finally people can hear about early detection and this disease is caught in the early stage. Hoping research is done to see why this is the number one Cancer.

Words from our incredible team

Our Georgia group was blessed with a terrific team one of which was Amy Moore. Amy is the  Director of Science and research for The Go2 Foundation. After our day on The Hill, Amy wrote this and it literally had me in tears as I read it. I ask if I could share this with others. The fact that she really cares this much for us meant so much. As you read her words you can feel her compassion and love.

“I can’t say enough about the amazing team of women I had the honor of being with on Capitol Hill. They are courageous, eloquent, determined, wanting more time to spend with loved ones, to see children and grandchildren grow up, to enjoy a well-earned retirement after dedicating their lives to educating and serving others. Wanting what any of us would want if we were in their shoes. And the reality is it could very well be any of us tomorrow.

The hardest part of leaving the research bench and moving into the non-profit world over a decade ago has been the politics of it all, knowing how much we could achieve if we simply had more resources.

One day, we will align our heads and our hearts and we will do the right thing. And so tomorrow, my work continues - to fight the good fight and to equip our scientists with the tools and the resources they need to save more lives.”

Humbled on the Hill

If only our Congress had this compassion within them. Wow! We may even get more than the 6 million we are asking to be restored. I was humbled as I watched my fellow lung cancer community standing tall and ready to take on “The Hill”.