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

Sioux Falls resident Janelle Jamtgaard is a lung cancer advocate living with lung cancer. On Monday, April 7, Jamtgaard 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. Jamtgaard 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 2018, Jamtgaard visited her doctor for what she thought was sleep apnea, but a CT scan revealed a spot on her right lung, and she was later diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma. A DNA test revealed her cancer had a gene mutation that responded well to specific medications. Months later Jamtgaard was later taken off it because of a weakened immune system. Since 2019 she has undergone several scans and believes access to health care and insurance made the difference in her results.

“My oncologist noticed the original tumor appeared "hot" and recommended one week of radiation. Another tumor also looked suspicious, so we decided to treat both with radiation,” said Jamtgaard. “Following the treatment, my radiation oncologist confirmed everything looked clear. However, my primary oncologist has scheduled one more scan to be certain.”

Jamtgaard leaves for Washington, D.C. Monday morning and hopes to educate people about the importance of access to health care and insurance. During Advocacy Day, she will speak with the offices of Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senator Mike Rounds and Representative Dusty Johnson to share her personal experience with 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. LUNG FORCE Heroes will share their stories and advocate for protecting lifesaving research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), critical public health prevention and protections at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the importance of Medicaid in providing health coverage for people with and at risk for lung cancer.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day and support Janelle Jamtgaard, the Lung Association invites South Dakota 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.

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.