Cancer Lobby Day

Cancer Lobby Day

If you’ve attended any local cancer event in the last twelve years—we’ve probably met.

My passion is connecting our community with their cancer doctors. This led me to serve on The American Cancer Society Wisconsin Leadership Board and to become an Ambassador Constituent Team Lead with The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

While in DC for Cancer Lobby Day, we asked three important things of our Wisconsin lawmakers. Here’s why it’s important and how it will impact cancer care in our hometown.

  1. Support increased funding for cancer research & prevention programs.
    • The medical science can only advance as fast as people are willing to participate in trials. And Wisconsinites participate in cancer research at a 17-20% rate, consistenly outpacing the national average of only 2-4%. Our citizens know the currently available treatments are only good enough for yesterday—not tomorrow. They stand ready and able to carry the nation’s progress in cancer treatment forward.
  2. Co-sponsor the DIVERSE Trials Act
    • This would increase diversity in clinical trials and make it easier for all people with cancer to participate by reducing financial barriers to enrollment. 
    • This legislation allows trial sponsors to reimburse patients for non-medical costs associated with their trial participation, including parking, food, or lodging. It provides the necessary technology to facilitate remote participation. It also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to create guidance on the use of decentralized trials to increase diversity.
  3. Co-sponsor the Medicare Screening Coverage Act
    • This would create a pathway to allow Medicare to cover multi-cancer screening tests once they have been approved by the FDA. 
    • It’s widely accepted that public investment in cancer prevention and screening is good and necessary. But there’s another reason: the worsening shortage of U.S. oncologists. The Journal of Clinical Oncology estimated a shortfall of 3,800 cancer physicians in 2020. And we’re already experiencing the pinch, right here in rural Wisconsin. We must reduce the number of advanced cancer cases, and develop better, less burdensome treatments to relieve the strain on our health system. Because sooner or later cancer comes for all of us, or those we love.

The week ended with a Lights of Hope walk to remind everyone why we continue to come to DC year-after-year. Over 60,000 candlelit bags lined the pond at the Washington Monument and were dedicated to someone impacted by cancer.

For more ways to be involved, check out: ACS-Cancer Action Network

Cancer Action Network – Wisconsin Team

Mayor Proclaims Holiday – Green Bay Oncology Day

Mayor Proclaims Holiday – Green Bay Oncology Day

WHEREAS, 1 in 3 of Green Bay’s residents will develop cancer during their lifetimes, driving a need for expert cancer care in our community; and

WHEREAS, on August 1, 1976 Dr. Paul Koch founded Green Bay Oncology, the region’s first specialty oncology practice; and

WHEREAS, Green Bay Oncology carries on Dr. Paul Koch’s legacy to relentlessly grow, lead and deliver valued, innovative oncology services, and expert care to patients in their home communities through outreach, clinical research, education and leadership; and

WHEREAS, Green Bay Oncology provides service in Medical Oncology, Radiation Therapy and Hematology and has cared for 45,000 local cancer patients ranging in age from 16-104 years old; and

WHEREAS, Green Bay Oncology has the largest group of cancer providers in the region with 14 oncology physicians and 9 nurse practitioners in 10 locations across Northeast Wisconsin and Upper Michigan; and

WHEREAS, on August 1, 2016 Green Bay Oncology marked forty years of ongoing efforts against cancer, on behalf of our community and citizens;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, James J. Schmitt, Mayor of the City of Green Bay, from this year forward, do hereby proclaim August 1st as being:

GREEN BAY ONCOLOGY DAY

in the City of Green Bay.  I ask all citizens to join with me in recognizing the observance of this anniversary, and of the need for ongoing research and treatment for all types of cancer.