WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins received the National Distinguished Advocacy Award on Sept. 13, the most prestigious honor bestowed by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), in recognition of her dedication to increased cancer research funding, removing barriers to colorectal cancer screening and improved patient quality of life.
ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, presents the annual award to select lawmakers who demonstrate relentless leadership in the area of cancer-related public policy advocacy.
“Cancer has taken a tremendous toll on far too many Americans and their families. As a member of both the Senate Health and Education Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee, one of my top priorities is increasing investment in biomedical research,” said Collins upon receiving the award.
“Against this scourge that causes so much pain and suffering, so much fear and uncertainty, and so much heartbreak, we are making progress. Together, with science, commitment, and compassion, we can and will prevail,” she said.
Local cancer research advocate Karin Howe of Wade, in Washington for the ACS CAN Leadership Summit and Lobby Day, was at the presentation.
“Senator Susan Collins has made an extraordinary difference for Mainers and the rest of the nation by being a steadfast supporter of sustaining and increasing investments in funding for the National Institutes of Health and cancer prevention and early detection,” said Chris Hansen, president of ACS CAN. “Thanks to her unwavering commitment to saving more lives from cancer through public policy, Senator Susan Collins has established herself as a national leader in improving public health.”
Collins was an original co-sponsor of the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act and supported the Food and Drug Administration’s regulation of tobacco products. She also became one of the first Senate Republicans to sign on as a co-sponsor to the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act.
“Senator Susan Collins’ passionate support of meaningful legislation makes a tremendous difference to those touched by cancer,” said Hilary Schneider, Maine government relations director for ACS CAN. “Her leadership and ability to build bridges across party lines to increase support for legislation to improve prevention, early detection and quality of life for patients with serious illnesses is helping to save lives from cancer in Maine and across the country.”
The award was announced at ACS CAN’s annual Leadership Summit and Lobby Day in Washington, D.C., as more than 700 volunteers and staff from across the country convened to ask Congress to support policies that increase cancer research funding, improve patient quality of life and make colorectal cancer screenings more affordable for seniors.
ACS CAN is the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate organization of the American Cancer Society, dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage lawmakers, candidates and government officials to support laws and policies that will make cancer a top national priority. For more information, visitwww.acscan.org.
