LCA’S Commitment: Better Grades
LCA's mission is to reverse decades of stigma
and neglect by empowering patients, elevating
awareness and changing health policy.
EMPOWERING PATIENTS
LCA will continue to link together lung cancer patients, families, caregivers and advocates into a national movement that will end the stigma and underfunding of lung cancer research. Knowledge is power and LCA is expanding its outreach to community and national cancer centers to provide patients and advocates with updates on all aspects of lung cancer health policy. In addition to its advocacy coordination, award winning website and information network, LCA provides a full portfolio of support and community services: Toll-free information line, LCA Phone Buddy program, LCA online support community, educational materials, newsletters, e-alerts, toolkits, Clinical Trial Matching Service and updates on diagnostic and treatment options.
ELEVATING AWARENESS
LCA will continue to lead efforts to challenge the public’s perception of lung cancer. Recent surveys conducted by LCA on stigma and CancerCare on media coverage (http://www.cancercare.org/about_us/press_releases/pr_2008_10_28.php) indicate the general public continues to blame lung cancer patients for their diagnosis and that media overage is predominantly negative. LCA will continue to counter these perceptions via national public awareness initiatives such as National Shine a Light on Lung Cancer Candlelight Vigil and the Lung Love Project to provide messages of hope and calls to action.
CHANGING HEALTH POLICY
LCA will continue to engage and educate key policy makers at the federal and state level on the public health impact of lung cancer and the urgent need for more research funding and public health infrastructure to better manage prevention, earlier detection and treatment of lung cancer. LCA will continue to build coalition partnerships among Women and Men’s Health groups, military and veteran’s service organizations, African-American, Hispanic, Asian-Pacific, and Native American public health associations, world renowned medical institutions and societies, among others, who share LCA’s mission and the desire to change the status quo – NOW.
FEDERAL UPDATE
LCA will continue to engage and educate key policy makers at the federal and state level on the public health impact of lung cancer and the urgent need for more research funding and public health infrastructure to better manage prevention, earlier detection and treatment of lung cancer. LCA will continue to build a national grass roots movement and expand a network of state chapters. LCA will collaborate with other groups and interests who share LCA’s mission and the desire to change the status quo – NOW. No more lung cancer!
Department of Defense (DOD):
- LCA’s top priority is now underway. Congress created a new lung cancer research program at DOD and appropriated $20 million for FY09. LCA will work to increase funding in this pipeline.
Department of Energy (DOE):
- DOE continues to protect high risk workers in munitions plants with free CT scans.
- Plans expansion in FY09.
Department of Justice (DOJ):
- LCA joined in amicus action but no final ruling yet on penalties.
- DOJ’s win is still under appeal by Big Tobacco.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):
- Still not budging even though LCA’s pilot screening program is strongly supported by top Veteran Service Organizations in their Independent Budget proposals.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):
LCA took new lung cancer policy to the next legislative level with the introduction of the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act (S.3187) which
- * sets the goal - a 50% reduction in mortality;
- sets the timeline - by 2015;
- holds federal agencies responsible for a comprehensive plan and annual progress reports;
- specifically authorizes HHS agencies: *National Cancer Institute (NCI) to review and prioritize research grants;
- National Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood (NIHLB), National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to get more actively involved;
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct screening research among minorities and low income populations
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to offer incentives for new drugs to prevent and treat lung cancer and to expand compassionate use;
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to carry out biennial updates on lung cancer screening and treatment.
LCA ENCOURAGES THE ENTIRE LUNG CANCER COMMUNITY TO GET INVOLVED IN SUPPORTING THESE GOALS
LCA will continue to engage and educate key policy makers at the federal and state level on the public health impact of lung cancer and the urgent need for more research funding and public health infrastructure to better manage prevention, earlier detection and treatment of lung cancer. LCA will continue to build a national grass roots movement and expand a network of state chapters. LCA will collaborate with other groups and interests who share LCA’s mission and the desire to change the status quo – NOW. No more lung cancer!
ORGANIZING THE GRASS ROOTS MOVEMENT:
National Headquarters: LCA maintains its headquarters in Washington DC to speak out on behalf of the lung cancer community, to meet with key policy makers, to build support within other national health advocacy organizations and to propose policy changes that bring more immediate and appropriate resources to reducing lung cancer mortality. LCA initiated a new web link (http://capwiz.com/lungcanceralliance/home/) so concerned people can directly contact their representatives.
State Chapters: LCA will continue to expand and provide the support and scaffolding for patients, their families and caregivers and friends to become strategic parts of the growing movement by building state chapters. State cancer plans across the nation, although publicly funded, have ignored lung cancer. Dedicated advocates have organized in key states to take the message to their state representatives and local media. Several state organizations are now issuing their own annual report cards and have introduced first ever legislation to authorize funding for lung cancer research.
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