Award is highest honor presented by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
West Virginia Press Association
WASHINGTON, D.C., – Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) received the National Distinguished Advocacy Award this week, the most prestigious award presented by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), in recognition of her significant contribution in the fight against cancer.
“Senator Capito has distinguished herself as a compassionate advocate and leader in the fight against cancer, particularly through her commitment to improving access to cancer screenings,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “Her introduction of the Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Services (SCREENS) for Cancer Act is just the latest effort in her longtime commitment to advocating for the needs of cancer patients and their loved ones. ACS CAN is grateful for her steadfast leadership in improving cancer outcomes across the nation.”
ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, presents the annual award to select lawmakers who demonstrate outstanding leadership in the area of cancer-related public policy advocacy. Senator Capito deserves this recognition not only for her work on SCREENS, but also for being a champion for cancer research funding and prevention, her support for legislation such as the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act, and her leadership in fighting childhood cancer.
The award was presented on Sept. 17 as part of the annual ACS CAN Leadership Summit and Lobby Day. Nearly 750 cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones met with their elected officials to urge them to support policies that increase funding for cancer research and prevention programs and urge lawmakers to pass the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act.
