CHICKASHA, Okla. (KOKH) — Chickasha resident Howie Jackson has battled cancer three times, most recently after being diagnosed with prostate cancer about a year and a half ago.
Jackson traveled to Washington, DC to lobby with more than 700 cancer patients, survivors and families who are part of the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network.
“We have lobbied Congress to maximize funding for cancer research in the coming fiscal year and to expedite Medicare approval of the multi-cancer early detection test, MCED, once it is cleared by the FDA,” Jackson said.
Jackson told FOX 25 that the group of Oklahomans who attended were able to meet with Oklahoma congressional staff and speak directly with Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.).
“Lawmakers see all the numbers,” Jackson said, “They see bill numbers, they see monetary numbers, they see the number of people affected, but oftentimes they don’t mean much until they put a name and a face to it.”
While in Washington, D.C., Jackson also took part in the “Ray of Hope” ceremony, an event that honors people who have been affected by cancer in some way.
“We were able to put on a big display of Ronnie Trentham from Stilwell who fought hard against cancer. He has passed away. He lost his battle but with every breath he was speaking out against the harms of smokeless tobacco,” he said.
Jackson said the message of increasing funding for cancer research was well received on Capitol Hill.
“But as always with what happens in Washington, there are a ton of issues with who’s going to get the money, how much money is going to be approved, and there’s not even a budget yet,” he told FOX 25. “Twenty-five years ago, the treatments I received during my cancer treatments weren’t even an option. It’s people like me and doctors at Stevenson and other cancer centers around the country who pioneered this research, funded in large part by Congress, that are saving lives.”
If you are interested in joining the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network, click here.
