On March 5, LUNGevity participated in the One Voice Against Cancer Grassroots Lobby Day in Washington, DC.
One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC) is a coalition of national nonprofit organizations representing millions of Americans. It delivers a unified message to Congress and the White House, advocating for increased cancer-related federal funding. The Hill Day event brings together advocates from across the country and the medical research advocacy community to urge Congress to prioritize funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Over 80 advocates from 32 states met with more than 105 congressional offices, making it a day filled with passionate advocacy and impactful stories.
Advocate Courtney Welch of Colorado attended the event with support from LUNGevity. Through a travel scholarship program launched in 2023, LUNGevity provides financial assistance to lung cancer advocates, helping cover travel and hotel expenses for advocacy events such as the One Voice Against Cancer Lobby Day and the Rally for Medical Research in September.
Following the event, Courtney shared her thoughts on the experience and offered advice for those interested in advocacy:
My name is Courtney Welch. I am an oncology nurse practitioner and the founder of Uplift Cancer Advisors. I live in Colorado with my husband and our two children. My career in oncology began after losing my mother to cancer—an incredibly challenging time that deepened my understanding of what many patients and families endure. Through Uplift Cancer Advisors, I provide personalized support to individuals and families navigating their own cancer journeys. My passion for advocacy stems from a desire to empower and support those facing similar challenges.
After years of working closely with lung cancer patients, I’ve witnessed the difficulties they face—from the shock of diagnosis to navigating complex treatment options. However, I have also seen the incredible progress made in cancer research. Recently, I lost my father to extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. The aggressive nature of small cell lung cancer brought relentless challenges, making every moment feel like another setback. Advocacy allows me to amplify the voices of patients and families, including my own, to push for change, improve access to care, and secure continued research funding so that lung cancer patients can live longer and with a better quality of life.
I recently had the privilege of joining LUNGevity Foundation and One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC) on Capitol Hill to advocate for stronger federal investments in cancer research and prevention. Federal cancer research represents American government at its best—saving lives, driving innovation, strengthening the medical workforce, and fueling economic growth.
Attending the OVAC Grassroots Lobby Day was an incredibly empowering experience! Meeting with lawmakers and sharing personal stories highlighted the importance of funding cancer research. Many lawmakers aren’t experts in this field, so sharing my experiences—both professional and personal—helped them better understand the challenges patients face. Being surrounded by the collective strength and passion of fellow advocates was inspiring. It reinforced how impactful our voices can be when we come together to push for meaningful change.
As an oncology nurse practitioner, I see firsthand how advances in cancer treatment—made possible by past research funding—extend lives, improve outcomes, and offer hope to patients and families. But there is still more work to be done!
Our goal during Hill Day was to encourage policymakers to support increased funding for cancer research, improved access to early detection and treatment, and greater support for patients and families. I hope that the stories I shared will leave a lasting impression on lawmakers and influence their decisions, both now and in the future.
Cancer remains the nation’s second leading cause of death, projected to claim 618,000 American lives this year—that’s nearly 1,700 people every day. Despite record-breaking scientific progress, funding for the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is stretched thin, with only 1 in 8 research applications receiving grants. This means promising breakthroughs go unfunded.
Prevention is equally critical. Nearly 45% of cancer deaths could be prevented through early detection and evidence-based strategies, many of which are supported by the CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control (DCPC). Investing in these programs saves lives and reduces long-term healthcare costs.
That’s why we’re calling on Congress to approve the highest possible increases for cancer research and prevention programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).
A huge thank you to Senators John Hickenlooper (CO), Michael Bennet (CO), Mark Kelly (AZ), and Ruben Gallego (AZ), along with House Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ), Juan Ciscomani (AZ), and Jason Crow (CO), as well as their staffers, for meeting with us. Your support has the power to change the trajectory of this disease! Let’s ensure that every patient—current and future—has access to the innovations and prevention strategies they deserve.
I am deeply grateful for the advances I have witnessed in my career as an oncology nurse practitioner. These developments have led to better outcomes for patients and their families, and I am incredibly hopeful for the future. I find inspiration in the resilience of the patients and families I’ve had the privilege to support, and I am encouraged by the growing community of advocates committed to making lasting change. Knowing that our collective efforts can drive progress and improve lives keeps me hopeful and motivated to continue this work.
For those considering getting involved in advocacy, my advice is simple: GO FOR IT! Sharing your story can be incredibly powerful and resonate deeply with policymakers. Don’t underestimate the impact of your voice—whether you’re attending events, contacting your representatives, or participating in campaigns. Organizations like LUNGevity offer excellent resources and opportunities to get involved, and you’ll find a supportive community of advocates eager to help you make a difference.