National priority: Defeat cancer

Recently, I traveled to Washington, D.C. with more than 750 of my fellow American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteers from across the country to urge Congress to support lifesaving policies that help people prevent and fight cancer.

I called on lawmakers to increase federal funding for cancer research, co-sponsor legislation to improve patient quality of life and remove cost barriers to colorectal cancer screenings for seniors.

My message to Senators Durbin and Kirk and Congressman Quigley was that Congress should seize these opportunities to put partisanship aside and make defeating cancer a top national priority.

I let our lawmakers know that people and families touched by cancer in Illinois and across the country are counting on them to support legislation that would help make cancer history. With one in two men and one in three women being diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, we can't let another year pass without taking legislative action.

I know our conversation made a difference in the halls of Congress, and I encourage you to add your voice.

Terry Hennen

Elmhurst