Advocating for Change: Local Lung Cancer Survivor and Advocate Mayra Marte-Miraz Travels to Washington, D.C. to Share Personal Story at Milestone Event

In celebration of a decade of powerful advocacy and progress, New York City resident and lung cancer survivor and advocate Mayra Marte-Miraz, will travel to Washington, D.C., for the American Lung Association’s 2025 LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day on April 9. This event marks 10 years of amplifying the voices of lung cancer survivors, caregivers, and advocates from across the U.S. who have shared their personal stories with lawmakers to drive lifesaving change.

Mayra Marte-Miraz, a Rockland County resident, was diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer at the age of 49 during a routine scan, despite having no symptoms, no family history, and never having smoked. Thanks to early detection and access to cutting-edge care, Mayra has been living with lung cancer for nearly seven years. In that time, she’s celebrated major life milestones — her sons’ college and law school graduations, her eldest son's wedding, her 50th birthday, and her 32nd wedding anniversary. Mayra is sharing her story during the American Lung Association’s Advocacy Day to emphasize the life-saving importance of research funding, public health resources, and affordable access to care.

Mayra said, “Lung cancer has taught me to value and appreciate every breath I take. I’ve been blessed to celebrate so many beautiful milestones with my family — birthdays, graduations, even my son’s wedding — and I know that wouldn’t have been possible without early detection and access to advanced treatment. That’s why I’m in Washington for Advocacy Day: to help protect funding for the NIH and CDC, and to ensure that programs like Medicaid continue to be there for families facing a diagnosis. Everyone deserves the chance I’ve had — to keep living, loving, and being present for the people who matter most.”

During Advocacy Day, Mayra spoke with Congressmen Nick LaLota and staff members from the offices of Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Rep Mike Lawlor to share her personal experience with lung cancer and explain why protecting access to quality and affordable healthcare through Medicaid, and protecting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health are vital for people with or at risk for lung cancer.

This year’s event is particularly crucial as proposed federal budget cuts and policy changes threaten to undermine progress in lung cancer research, prevention and access to affordable care. LUNG FORCE Heroes will share their stories and advocate for protecting lifesaving research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), critical public health prevention and protections at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the importance of Medicaid in providing health coverage for people with and at risk for lung cancer.

LUNG FORCE launched in 2014, and the first LUNG FORCE Advocacy took place in 2016. Since its inception, LUNG FORCE has played a pivotal role in transforming the landscape of lung cancer research, treatment and awareness. Over the past 10 years, the American Lung Association has:

• Shared the inspiring stories of more than 1,000 individuals affected by lung cancer with lawmakers, putting a human face to the nation’s leading cause of cancer death.
• Increased annual lung cancer research funding through the National Institutes of Health by 142%, surpassing $500 million annually.
• Contributed to a remarkable 44% increase in the five-year lung cancer survival rate, providing hope to countless patients and families.
• Paved the way for 67 new lung cancer therapies approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, expanding treatment options and improving outcomes.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day and support Mayra, the Lung Association invites New York residents to join the movement by visiting LUNGFORCE.org/AdvocacyDay and:

• Calling your Senators and Representatives to echo the voices of LUNG FORCE Heroes.
• Sending an email to Congress to advocate for continued support of lung cancer research and healthcare access.
• Engaging with lawmakers on social media to raise awareness and inspire action.

For more details about the 2025 LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day or the American Lung Association’s ongoing efforts to end lung cancer, visit LUNGFORCE.org.