Illinois Lung Cancer Advocate Travels to Washington, D.C. to Share Personal Story with Lawmakers

Oak Lawn resident Sheila Spane is a lung cancer advocate who lost her mother to lung cancer. On Monday, April 7, Spane will travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with her members of Congress as part of the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day on April 9. Spane will join more than 40 other LUNG FORCE Heroes from across the nation who have also been impacted by lung cancer. This is the tenth year for the nationwide event that amplifies the voices of lung cancer survivors, caregivers, and advocates to share their personal stories with lawmakers to drive lifesaving change.

In October 2001, Spane’s mom, Ann, developed a cough that wouldn’t go away regardless of the medication or treatment she tried. After several doctor’s visits, her primary physician referred Spane’s mom to a pulmonary specialist due to an abnormal finding on a CT scan. In April of 2002, her mother was diagnosed with stage 2 non-small cell lung cancer and had a lobectomy of her left lung. The cancer spread to her right lung in April of 2003. Spane watched her mother struggle to overcome numerous challenges to access the best treatments despite having access to Medicare insurance and supplemental insurance.

“I was overcome with emotions at the thought of losing someone so dear to me, whom I loved deeply,” said Spane. “Often, the medication prescribed by her oncologist was substituted with generic drugs due to the high cost and lack of research. There were also times when the generic drugs were not as effective as the prescribed ones.”

Spane believes early detection technology could have saved her mother’s life. She hopes to educate people about the process in the event of a cancer diagnosis and urge policymakers to reject any cuts to Medicaid.

During Advocacy Day, Spane will speak with members of the Illinois Congressional delegation and their staff to share her personal experience with lung cancer and explain why protecting access to quality and affordable healthcare through Medicaid and protecting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are vital for people with or at risk for lung cancer. This year’s event is particularly crucial as proposed federal budget cuts and policy changes threaten to undermine progress in lung cancer research, prevention and access to affordable care.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day and support Sheila Spane, the Lung Association invites Illinois residents to join the movement by visiting LUNGFORCE.org/AdvocacyDay and:

• Calling your Senators and Representatives to echo the voices of LUNG FORCE Heroes.
• Sending an email to Congress to advocate for continued support of lung cancer research and healthcare access.
• Engaging with lawmakers on social media to raise awareness and inspire action.

To request an interview with Sheila Spane please contact Janye Killelea at Janye.Killelea@Lung.org or call (312) 940-7624. For more details about the 2025 LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day or the American Lung Association’s ongoing efforts to end lung cancer, visit LUNGFORCE.org.