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Today: Cleveland Lung Cancer Advocate Meets with Lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to Ask Congress for Increased Research Funding

Portia Booker joined volunteers from across the nation to ask members of Congress to take action against lung cancer

CLEVELAND, OH | March 29, 2023

Today, Cleveland resident and lung cancer advocate, Portia Booker, met her members of Congress during the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C.

As a part of the nationwide event, Booker joined more than 40 other people across the country who have been impacted by lung cancer to $51 billion in research funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), $11.6 billion in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and support and protect Medicaid.

Booker’s mother, Sharonne L. Lopez, was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer stage 3A. She underwent four segments of chemotherapy and radiation, which resulted in her need for supplemental oxygen. Despite her sickness, Sharonne participated in the Lung Force Walk on September 18th, 2021. Booker recounts their participation in the event and highlights the significance of gratitude, advocacy and access to healthcare and resources for effective cancer treatment
 
“Being a caregiver of my beloved mother for the last four years taught me the importance of gratitude and need for continued advocacy, ” said Booker
 
During Advocacy Day, Booker spoke with U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown and J.D. Vance to share her personal experience with lung cancer and explain why investments in public health, research funding and quality and affordable healthcare are important to her.
 
The American Lung Association launched LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day in 2016 to ask members of Congress to support federal funding increases for lung cancer research, prevention and quality and affordable healthcare.

As a part of Advocacy Day, LUNG FORCE Heroes have succeeded in helping increase NIH lung cancer research funding by over 115%.

In 2022, Heroes successfully urged Congress to extend funding for tax credits so more than three million Americans were able to keep affordable healthcare coverage through the federal and state marketplaces.
Booker encourages others in Ohio to advocate for lung cancer research and healthcare protections by contacting their members of Congress, which they can do at Lung.org/AdvocacyDay. Learn more about Booker’s story and the LUNG FORCE initiative at LUNGFORCE.org.

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About the American Lung Association

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org. To support the work of the American Lung Association, find a local event at Lung.org/events.

For more information, contact:

James A. Martinez
(312) 445-2501
James.Martinez@Lung.org

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