Cancer patients rally legislators virtually
More than 120 volunteers came out to advocate with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network on May 14.
The unpredictable and dynamic nature of COVID-19 is no match for the steadfast commitment of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s volunteers.
Because the virus and the elevated risk for those with compromised immune systems became a roadblock for the annual Cancer Action Day, cancer patients, survivors and caregivers from across the state traveled virtually to the state capitol yesterday to meet with Ohio’s lawmakers about the need to properly fund the state’s Tobacco Use Cessation and Prevention Program and protect youth from indoor tanning.
“Cancer hasn’t stopped, so neither will we. As a cancer survivor, I let my lawmakers know if we’re going to eliminate cancer as a major health problem in Ohio, this goal must be top of mind for our legislature,” said Julie Turner, ACS CAN Ohio state lead ambassador. “By reducing tobacco’s toll and by protecting youth from indoor tanning, we can reduce suffering and death from this disease.”
Throughout the day 120 volunteers were able to meet with 70 legislative offices, and volunteers were able to hear from Ohio Department of Health medical director Dr. Mark Hurst and Ohio State University men’s basketball coach Chris Holtmann, who participates in the Coaches vs. Cancer program.
The Ohio volunteers asked the legislature toproperly fund the state’s Tobacco Use Cessation and Prevention Program by investing $35 million, restoring funding to mid-2000 investment levels. A minimum of $35 million per year would allow the state to revive its once successful and impactful comprehensive program. This investment will allow the state to help prevent kids from starting to use tobacco products and to help people quit while delivering health and cost-saving benefits to Ohio.
The Ohio volunteers asked the legislature to protect all those under 18 from using indoor tanning devices by supporting legislation that would protect Ohio’s youth from using indoor tanning devices without exemptions. The use of indoor tanning devices before age 35 increases an individual's lifetime risk of melanoma by 59%. One in 13 high school girls used tanning devices with numbers increasing to one in eight by senior year. By protecting youth from using indoor tanning devices, skin cancer rates can be reduced and lives saved.
“We met with our elected leaders virtually yesterday as representatives of each one of the Ohioans who will be diagnosed with cancer this year,” said Pam Manges, ACS CAN Ohio vice state lead ambassador. “When it comes to reducing tobacco’s impact on our state, politicians need to put politics aside and reach across the aisle.”
Every day an estimated 197 Ohioans are hearing the words “you have cancer” for the first time, and 25,380 in the state are expected to die from the disease this year. Those gathered yesterday are calling on Ohio lawmakers to change this by taking steps to make the fight against cancer a priority.