Local woman heads to Washington, DC to advocate for cancer research on Capitol Hill

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A local Bowling Green woman has headed to Washington, D.C. to fight for some of the most vulnerable people in our community cancer patients.

Kim Lindgren is a state lead ambassador with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and has been meeting with members of Congress advocating for significant funding into cancer research and patient care.

“We are asking for top line funding, sustained increases for for cancer research and prevention programs” Lindgren said. “So we are currently requesting $51.3 billion for the National Institutes of Health.”

Lindgren says that funding can make a massive impact that is not just felt in Kentucky but nationwide and can create a real impact in the daily lives of patients and their families, especially in states where cancer rates are higher than average.

“When we make those commitments to cancer research funding, it has real impact on the lives of everyone who is battling cancer. Kentucky is a state in which the incidences of cancer are high. So it’s important that our senators and our representatives make those commitments not just to Kentuckians, but to make cancer a national priority,” Lindgren said.

Of course, nothing is guaranteed on the Hill in Washington, D.C., but the word no is not a word that Lindgren is familiar with saying even if they do not get their desired actions or results they will not stop their fight.

“Because of our continued and sustained commitment to advocate on behalf of cancer patients and their families, that Congress knows we mean business and that they might tell us no today, but we’re coming back tomorrow, and eventually we get a yes,” Lindgren said.