Editor's note: This story was originally published in Health Care Headliners, a magazine meant to introduce the community to the people making a big difference in local health care. The doctors honored in the magazine come from nominations accepted by VEGAS INC.
“The fight against cancer is waging not only in doctors’ offices, but at the state and federal levels as well, and our efforts take us to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and to every state capitol nationwide.”
— American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Volunteer
When it comes to fighting the war on cancer, the volunteers at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) — an affiliate of the American Cancer Society — are tireless in their efforts to ensure that this dreaded disease remains in the national spotlight, pounding the pavement and meeting with lawmakers at the state and federal levels.
This army of crusaders is comprised of some 350 volunteers in nearly every Nevada county, according to grassroots manager Cindy Roragen, who is one of only two paid full-time ACS CAN employees in the state.
“ACS CAN was founded in 2001, and we’re not event-driven, but rather focused on policy issues,” Roragen said, adding that cancer is a common universal connector. “It seems that everybody either knows someone afflicted with the disease, or is one degree away from it, so we try to engage more people and reach out to lawmakers in order to make real changes to fight the disease.”
According to the American Cancer Society, cancer is the second leading cause of death among Americans, trailing only heart disease. Of the anticipated 1.66 million new cases expected in the U.S. in 2015, nearly 14,000 Nevadans will be diagnosed this year, staggering figures that only support ACS CAN’s mission of advocating for better access to care, prevention and early-detection programs, research funding, better quality of life for patients, and tobacco regulation by the Food and Drug Administration.
“Tobacco use is one of the most preventable causes of cancer, so this year we’re pushing SB 455, which proposes that the tobacco tax be raised by a dollar, for a total of $1.80 (per pack of cigarettes),” Roragen said.
Recent victories in the 2013 state session also include the passage of SB 267, which prohibits minors from indoor tanning. Nevada was among the first states to pass the bill, which protects Nevada youth from the harmful ultraviolet radiation posed by indoor tanning beds.
The passage of SB 266 — which requires insurance companies that elect to offer coverage for cancer therapy charge the same co-pay for IV and oral chemotherapy — was another 2013 success, as was expansion of the drug donation bill, which allows for the donation (as opposed to destruction) of expensive, unused cancer treatment drugs.
Roragen credits these victories to the efforts of volunteers such as Delia Oliveri, who serves as the ACS CAN Nevada lead ambassador. A three-time cancer survivor first diagnosed in 1983, Oliveri said she is only alive today because of early detection and research, which are mainstays that align with the organization’s objectives.
“The fight against cancer is waging not only in doctors’ offices, but at the state and federal levels as well, and our efforts take us to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and to every state capitol nationwide,” said Oliveri, who in 2011 was honored at the White House with four other organization volunteers as part of its Champions of Change program. “Advocacy is absolutely essential in getting meaningful legislation enacted in the fight against cancer, and we are relentless in holding our lawmakers accountable.”
Oliveri said that local 2015 campaigns include increased funding for research, supporting patient and survivor quality of life, cancer prevention and early detection, and of course the continued pursuit of a smoke-free nation.
“Cancer advocacy is about people working together to change laws and policies to fight cancer and benefit cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and their families,” Oliveri said. “By volunteering with ACS CAN, you are making a difference. Visit our website at acscan.org and help us continue to fight.”