Duluth, GA – Dr. Crystal Champion, a physical therapist and 4-year breast cancer survivor, was chosen by the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) to participate in their annual Hill Day on June 22, 2023. During this important event, Dr. Champion and other cancer survivors and advocates from across the country came together to meet with members of Congress to share their lived experience with cancer and advocate for the Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act.
The Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act is an essential piece of legislation that focuses on the needs of cancer survivors and their families. This bi-partisan led legislation was introduced by Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) and Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Ben Cardin (D-MD).Â
During the Hill Day event, advocates discussed the importance of the following three priorities from the legislation:
ï†Coverage of cancer care planning and coordination services: Creates a Medicare service and payment for cancer care planning and coordination services to help improve cancer survivors’ coordination of care and transition to primary care.
ï†Cancer survivor employment assistance grants:Establishes a grant program to provide education and targeted assistance, such as transportation, nutritional, and financial assistance, to cancer survivors, their families, and caregivers who experience employment challenges.
ï†Adult cancer survivorship study: Requires an analysis to assess the benefits of creating an adult version of the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, which would collect information about late and long-term effects of cancer to help improve treatments and interventions that will increase survival and improve quality of life.Â
Dr. Champion is honored to be a part of this important event, and to advocate for the needs of cancer survivors and their families. Through their participation, they hope to raise awareness about the importance of the Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act and its impact on the lives of cancer survivors and their families.
For more information about the Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act, please visit:Â https://canceradvocacy.org/introduction-comprehensive-cancer-survivorship-act/
More information about the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship and the Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team can be found here: www.canceradvocacy.orgÂ