Louisville advocate pushes Kentucky Congressional delegation to make cancer funding a priority

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville advocate is lobbying for more cancer research in Washington, D.C.

In a release, the American Cancer Society's Action Network said Remy Kennedy was among more than 700 cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones from all 50 states that took part in its annual leadership summit.

Kennedy is a Louisville woman who became an advocate after losing her father to pancreatic cancer just five weeks after his diagnosis.

As the House and Senate worked on laying out spending priorities for 2024 ahead of a Sept. 30 budget deadline, she met with members of Kentucky's Congressional delegation including U.S. Representatives Brett Guthrie and James Comer-- and staff from Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul's office.

Kennedy discussed the need for Congressional support for increased funding for cancer research through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She also asked for support of a bill waiving out-of-pocket costs for those with the highest risk of prostate cancer including Black men with a family history of the disease.

She also asked the delegation to support legislation that would allow Medicare to cover new multi-cancer early detection tests once they are approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

“Roughly one in three Americans will hear the words ‘you have cancer’ in their lifetime. We need a full and unwavering commitment from Congress to take action to help prevent, detect and treat cancer,” said Kennedy in the release. “We want our lawmakers to know that volunteers from Kentucky and every state across the country are counting on them to take a stand.”

During the summit, volunteers gathered at the Constitution Gardens in Washington, D.C., to honor cancer survivors and remember those who have been lost to the disease during the annual Lights of Hope ceremony. Illuminated bags decorated with the names of those who have faced a cancer diagnosis are displayed.