Lung Cancer Alliance Hails Senator John Kerry For His Support For Increased Lung Cancer Research

New Cosponsor of the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act

Washington, DC [Tuesday, June 15, 2010] -- Today, Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) commended Senator John Kerry (D-MA) for backing the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act, first ever authorizing language that establishes a multi-agency, comprehensive program targeted at lung cancer.

“Thank you Senator Kerry for joining the growing chorus of national leaders calling for a more compassionate and comprehensive research plan of action for lung cancer”, said Laurie Fenton Ambrose, LCA President & CEO.  “You are giving hope to a community that has felt so hidden, stigmatized and ignored for so long.”

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death nationally and in Massachusetts.  In 2010, it will take more lives than breast, prostate and colon cancers—combined.  Of those diagnosed 80% will be either former smokers or will have never smoked at all. 

“This is a wonderful development,” said Deborah Morosini, MD, LCA Board Member and sister of the late Dana Reeve.  “Both Dana and Chris were both great admirers and close friends of Senator Kerry.  My family continues to be so appreciative of the support he has offered in helping us to combat this disease that has touched all of our lives so deeply.”

In a recently released study by the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Connors Center for Women’s Health and Gender Biology, Harvard Medical Affiliate, entitled Out of the Shadows:  Women and Lung Cancer, researchers noted that this year alone 25,000 women will be diagnosed with lung cancer who never smoked a day in their lives.

“We must make every effort to address lung cancer comprehensively and ensure that a sufficient research plan is devised that will best support all areas of prevention, detection and treatment moving forward,” said Senator Kerry.

In thanking the Senator for his support, LCA-Massachusetts (LCA-MA) Co-chair and lung cancer survivor, Diane Legg said, “We are so very grateful for Senator Kerry’s endorsement of this critically important legislation.  I am confident that his support will encourage other Senators to join this growing list of endorsers.

“Additionally," Legg continued, "we are close to having the entire Massachusetts congressional delegation backing of the House companion bill, HR 2112.  We will not rest until we have unanimous support for this landmark legislation that will improve lung cancer outcomes in Massachusetts and beyond."   

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