Today is world cancer day and this week has been a testament to how hard the cancer journey is. I lost a dear friend, Ann Fonfa, Founder of the AnnieAppleseed Project, to breast cancer, and another dear friend was diagnosed with a recurrence. Ann survived 40 years with breast cancer and was a pioneer in complementary and alternative treatments.
Advocate conferences always begin with a moment of silence to honor those who worked tirelessly to end this disease, but sadly are no longer with us. It’s a sobering moment and those of us left in the group have unfortunately become too accustomed to saying good-bye to these amazing women.
I don’t know when the loss will end, but we must keep the faith and HOPE that we can cure this disease. So much progress is being made but there is so much more needed. Ann used to get outraged when a doctor at a conference would comment that the patient “failed” the treatment. She would pledge that the patient failed nothing, we failed the patient.
Let’s stop failing the patient…write your representatives to fund:
· $150 Million/Level Funding for the Department of Defense (DOD) Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) for FY2025: (continuation of program_
· Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act: This legislation would waive the 24-month waiting period for Medicare and the five-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for eligible individuals with Metastatic Breast Cancer.
· Preservation of the Medicaid Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program: Congress enacted the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act in 2000 after years of NBCC grassroots lobbying and influence. NBCC remains committed to ensuring all women and men screened and diagnosed with breast cancer have access to the treatment they need.
#METAvivor Research and Support Inc.