Latest news with #CancerActionDay
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Area woman fights for cancer survivors, including herself, at state level
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WKBN) — Tuesday was Cancer Action Day, and about 100 cancer patients and advocates from across the Buckeye State gathered at the Statehouse in Columbus, including a Brookfield woman. Jill McFarland was diagnosed with breast cancer almost 10 years ago, and while fighting her own cancer battle, she lost her mother to lung cancer caused by tobacco use. The goal of Tuesday's visit was to urge lawmakers to support Governor Mike DeWine's proposed tobacco tax increases and budget funding for programs that prevent and reduce tobacco use and improve access to breast and cervical cancer screenings. 'If we could do the parity tax and the $1.50 per cigarette pack tax, it would prevent young people, maybe older generations, from bouncing from one thing that's too expensive to another tobacco product that's less expensive,' McFarland said. 'If we can catch the young people early, then we can avoid a lot of these, you know, these cases of cancer.' They also asked lawmakers to improve access to cancer care by supporting biomarker and prostate cancer legislation. 'It's not just for cancer patients where bio specimen is analyzed to determine what would be the most effective treatment at that time,' McFarland said. 'And for me, I think that would have been extremely helpful.' McFarland's cancer is metastatic. It has spread throughout her body, including the brain. She is scheduled to have an MRI on her brain soon, but in the meantime, is grateful she is experiencing her daughter Isabella's senior year. Isabella was also a spokesperson for the event with her mother. Ohio's next state budget has not yet been finalized, and the Senate must send a final version to the Governor's desk by June 30. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cancer survivors head to Albany to push for better care
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A group of cancer survivors and supporters from Western New York are traveling to Albany Tuesday to meet with state leaders and ask for better cancer care across New York. The trip is part of Cancer Action Day, when people from all over the state come together to share their stories and push for new laws that could help patients and families. 'We've seen that when people from Western New York speak up and tell their stories, things really start to change,' said Dylyn Harrison, a volunteer with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. 'It's easy to feel like nothing you say matters, but it does — and that's why we're here.' The group is asking lawmakers to support three main ideas: Make lung cancer screening easier to get and more affordable Update the state's paid family and medical leave rules (which haven't been changed in more than 30 years) Expand help for patients navigating the health care system Harrison says one big issue is how health insurance works for lung cancer tests. 'Lung cancer is one of the top killers, but only about 19% of people at high risk are getting screened,' she said. 'Sometimes insurance will cover the first test, but not any follow-ups, and that keeps people from getting the care they need. We want to fix that.' Rhonda Hands, a 30-year cancer survivor, says lawmakers need to hear directly from people who've lived through it. 'I thank God I've been cancer-free for 30 years,' she said. 'But testing should be easy and affordable for everyone. There shouldn't be anything standing in the way.' For these advocates, the trip to Albany isn't just about policy, it's personal. They're standing up for families and patients who need a stronger system. Gwyn Napier is a reporter who joined the News 4 team in 2025. See more of her work by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Advocates gather Wednesday for ‘Cancer Action Day'
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Wednesday marks 'Cancer Action Day,' so cancer survivors, patients and advocates from all over Michigan will gather at the Statehouse to share their message with lawmakers. They will support Governor Gretchen Whitmer's budget proposal to reduce tobacco use in Michigan. They will ask lawmakers to support copay accumulator legislation to ensure Michiganders receive the total value of prescription drug copay assistance to afford their treatments. Wednesday's event runs from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. 6 News anchors Jorma Duran and Megan Viecelli talked with American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Government Relations Director Molly Medenblik to learn more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
