Local Lung Cancer Advocate Travels to Washington, D.C. to Urge Lawmakers to Support Lifesaving Research and Public Health Funding

Austin resident and lung cancer advocate, Savannah Cavanaugh, travels to Washington, D.C. to meet with her members of Congress during the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day on March 20. As a part of the nationwide event, Cavanaugh joins more than 40 other people across the country who have been impacted by lung cancer to ask lawmakers to support $51.3 billion in research funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and $11.6 billion in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for tobacco prevention and cessation programs (CDC).

“I’m very honored to attend Lung Force Advocacy Week on behalf of my grandfather, who passed away from stage 4 lung cancer. Tobacco use remains the single largest and most preventable cause of death and disease in the United States. Unfortunately, we are seeing younger generations being introduced to nicotine and tobacco products through e-cigarettes and related products,” said Savannah Cavanaugh, Advocate of the American Lung Association. “I am passionate about educating our youth on the detrimental side effects of smoking and vaping so that our next generation can live longer, healthier, smoke-free lives.”

During Advocacy Day, Cavanaugh will speak with the offices of Senator John Cornyn and Ted Cruz and Representatives Doggett and McCaul to share her personal experience with lung cancer and explain why investments in public health and research funding are important to her.

Thousands of LUNG FORCE Heroes from across the country have raised their voices since 2014 to urge their members of Congress in Washington, D.C., to support robust, sustainable and predictable federal funding increases for lung cancer research, prevention, as well as quality and affordable healthcare. LUNG FORCE Heroes have succeeded in helping increase NIH lung cancer research funding by over 130% since the inception of LUNG FORCE in 2014. NIH has also funded research that has led to new treatments that are saving lives today. Since 2016, over 50 new therapies have been approved by the FDA to treat lung cancer – giving life and hope to those impacted by this disease. 

Cavanaugh encourages others in Texas to advocate for lung cancer research and tobacco control efforts by contacting their members of Congress, which they can do at Lung.org/AdvocacyDay. Learn more about Savannah’s story and the LUNG FORCE initiative at LUNGFORCE.org.