Mesothelioma Organization Works to Add Members to ‘Deadliest Cancer Caucus’
Alexandria, VA (PRWEB) July 29, 2014 -- The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation) along with other members of the Deadliest Cancer Coalition, led advocacy efforts among its members for increased participation of our elected officials in the newly established Congressional Caucus on the Deadliest Cancers.
As a result of these advocacy efforts, the caucus now features the following 20 members:
Rep. Matt Salmon (AZ-5) – June 18, 2014
Rep. Anna Eshoo (CA-18) – May 2, 2014
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA-19) – June 19, 2014
Rep. Adam Schiff (CA-28) – June 18, 2014
Rep. Henry Waxman (CA-33) – May 2, 2014
Rep. Alan Lowenthal (CA-47) – June 23, 2014
Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-2) – June 19, 2014
Rep. Tom Latham (IA-3) – June 19, 2014
Rep. Joe Kennedy (MA-4) – June 19, 2014
Rep. Ann Wagner (MO-2) – June 19, 2014
Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (NH-1) – June 19, 2014
Rep. Leonard Lance (NJ-07) – May 2, 2014
Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) – June 19, 2014
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (NY-12) – June 18, 2014
Rep. Steve Stivers (OH-15) – June 19, 2014
Rep. Allyson Schwartz (PA-13) – June 19, 2014
Rep. Joseph Pitts (PA-16) – June 18, 2014
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) – June 9, 2014
Rep. Michael Burgess (TX-26) – June 19, 2014
Rep. Dave Reichert (WA-08) – May 2, 2014
On May 8, a Dear Colleague letter was sent out by the founding co-chairs of the newly established Congressional Caucus on the Deadliest Cancers to invite other Representatives to join the Caucus. According to the Dear Colleague letter, “Because almost half of all cancer deaths in the U.S. are attributable to one of the deadliest cancers, it’s imperative that we monitor implementation and what, if any, additional steps Congress should take to address these most lethal cancers.” The caucus was founded by Representatives Leonard Lance (R-NJ), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Dave Reichert (R-WA), and Henry Waxman (D-CA).
The Deadliest Cancers Coalition planned a June 19 briefing about the bipartisan Caucus, which was attended by more than 100 Congressional staffers. The Meso Foundation’s director of government affairs, Jessica Barker, attended the standing-room-only briefing.
Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor of the lining of the lung, abdomen, or heart known to be caused by exposure to asbestos. Medical experts consider it one of the most aggressive and deadly of all cancers. An estimated one-third of those who develop mesothelioma were exposed while serving in the Navy or working in shipyards.
ABOUT THE MESOTHELIOMA APPLIED RESEARCH FOUNDATION
The Meso Foundation is the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating mesothelioma and easing the suffering caused by this cancer. The Meso Foundation actively seeks philanthropic support to fund peer-reviewed mesothelioma research; provide patient support services and education; and advocate Congress for increased federal funding for mesothelioma research. The Meso Foundation is the only non-government funder of peer reviewed scientific research to establish effective treatments for mesothelioma and, ultimately, a cure for this extremely aggressive cancer. To date, the Foundation has awarded over $8.7 million to research. More information is available at http://www.curemeso.org.
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Maja Belamaric, Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, http://www.curemeso.org/site/c.duIWJfNQKiL8G/b.8598593/k.D685/Homepage.htm, +1 7038793822, [email protected]
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