LCA receives Leadership in Advocacy Award

Lung Cancer AllianceSep 18 2010

Lung Cancer Alliance received the Leadership in Advocacy Award at today's forum of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust in Washington D.C.  

The Congressional Black Caucus was founded in 1969 by members of Congress to promote the public welfare through legislation designed to meet the needs of millions of neglected citizens.

In accepting the honor, LCA President and CEO Laurie Fenton-Ambrose said: "I am humbled to accept this award not only for Lung Cancer Alliance, but on behalf of the millions who have lost their lives to lung cancer and the millions more who will face a diagnosis of this disease."

She continued: "It is especially gratifying to receive this award from the Congressional Black Caucus which for decades has been one of the leading forces in the nation for social justice, because, at a very basic level, lung cancer is about social justice."

Congresswoman Donna Christensen (D-VI), the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust presented the prestigious award.

In the letter advising LCA of the honor, Congresswoman Christensen said, "Your tireless efforts not only to raise awareness about the disparate and shocking trends of lung cancer, but to inspire policymakers to take a more comprehensive and sensitive approach to battling lung cancer have been nothing short of incredible."

Congresswoman Christensen is the lead sponsor of the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act, (H.R. 2112) the first legislation authorizing a comprehensive, multi-agency effort to reduce lung cancer mortality - the leading cause of cancer death.

She also stated in the letter, "Additionally, your leadership around H.R. 2112 and unwillingness to accept mediocrity with respect to the fight against lung cancer make me very confident that when they write the story about the end of lung cancer, they will have to dedicate chapters to your efforts."

At the official award ceremony today, Fenton-Ambrose thanked her and the Congressional Black Caucus for their leadership and willingness to make lung cancer a public health priority.

"This award has elevated the national significance of lung cancer, and lives will be saved because of this," Fenton-Ambrose said.