To the editor:

Earlier this month, I had the honor of representing Mississippi on Capitol Hill by traveling to Washington, D.C., with nearly 700 of my fellow American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteers from across the country to urge Congress to make cancer a national priority.

Together, we called on Congress to support lifesaving policies that help people prevent and better treat cancer. We asked legislators for their support in increasing federal funding for cancer research, backing legislation to improve patient quality of life and removing cost barriers to colorectal cancer screenings for seniors.

When I met with Congressman Bennie Thompson, I told him that cancer is nonpartisan, and that Congress should seize the opportunity to pass critical legislation that can help end cancer as we know it.

I also let our lawmakers know that Mississippi residents and many others across the country rely on them to support legislation that will help reduce the cancer burden, potentially making cancer history. With more than 1,670 people dying from cancer every day, we must take legislative action on these important issues.

I encourage you to join us, giving us a stronger and louder voice in the fight against cancer. Visit acscan.org to be connected to people like me in your community.

Pearl W. Carter

Volunteer, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)