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It's important to raise money for cancer organizations. The scientists are
working so hard to find cures for the many different types of cancer out there
affecting so many of us. Cancer survivors, as well as family members of those
who were lost to the illness, are out there everyday trying to raise awareness
with their fund raisers. Show your support any way that you can.
working so hard to find cures for the many different types of cancer out there
affecting so many of us. Cancer survivors, as well as family members of those
who were lost to the illness, are out there everyday trying to raise awareness
with their fund raisers. Show your support any way that you can.
Want to list your upcoming event? Email us the info and we'll place it right
here for you.
here for you.
Two States Increase Access to Clinical Trials
The number keeps rising! Florida and Nebraska recently reached voluntary consensus agreements
requiring health insurers operating in their states to cover routine care costs for patients enrolled in a
clinical trial, bringing the count to 30 states and the District of Columbia that require this coverage.
The agreement in Florida was especially surprising in a year when the state's legislature was
expected to focus its attention on state budget issues. When LLS entered the Florida legislative
arena last winter, the objective was to raise awareness of the need for coverage of routine care costs
for Floridians who choose to participate in a clinical trials, setting the stage for the following session.
But thanks to strong coalition leadership and grassroots efforts by advocates across the state, a
legislative champion was quickly found who pressed the issue.
State Sen. Don Gaetz recently challenged insurers operating in Florida to come to an agreement
requiring coverage - or face introduction of legislation that would do it for them. Led by his firm belief
that patients deserved access to clinical trials, a deal was quickly finalized. Patients can be grateful
to Senator Gaetz for his leadership on this issue, the volunteers that expressed the need for this
coverage to their legislators, and our coalition partners, including Humana, Inc., the American Cancer
Society, the Florida Medical Society, and Moffitt Cancer Center, for all of their hard work.
In other state campaign news, volunteers working to increase access to clinical trials in Iowa are
gearing up for an abbreviated state legislative session that begins in this month. Bills have been
pre-filed in both chambers of the state legislature to ensure immediate action once lawmakers return
to Des Moines.
In addition, a number of legislators have expressed early support for the bills once they begin
moving. State Reps. Doug Stryuk (R-Council Bluffs) and Tyler Olson (D-Cedar Rapids) submitted an
opinion piece to the Des Moines Register calling for their colleagues to pass this much-needed
legislation immediately.
Volunteers are scheduled to meet with their elected officials at the state Mission Day on Wednesday,
Feb. 17, 2010 to help Stryuk and Olson lobby for this issue. If you are interested in joining the
coalition for the in-person Mission Day, please visit the Iowa Mission Day Web site to register.
Volunteers will also descend on Albany, NY for a state Mission Day on Mon., February 1, 2010.
Advocates in New York will be lobbying their elected officials to increase logistical and financial
access to clinical trials. Legislation introduced by Assemblyman Dick Gottfried (D-Manhattan)
focuses on creating a state grant program to overcome the major barriers to patient participation in a
clinical trial, such as transportation costs, education and patient navigation.
Made even more evident in the current economy, the costs of traveling to a research institution can
make it nearly impossible for many patients to participate in a clinical trial. The creation of this state
grant program would make it possible for patients to receive financial aid that would help alleviate
these cost concerns.
Volunteers in New York are invited to participate in the state Mission Day. For more information and
to register for the event, please visit the New York Mission Day Web site.
As always, volunteer efforts will be the key to passing legislation that benefits patients with blood
cancers in these and other states. Patient stories carry the day on these issues. If you or a loved
one have a personal story to share about troubles enrolling in a clinical trial, whatever they may be,
please tell us about it at advocacy@lls.org.
The number keeps rising! Florida and Nebraska recently reached voluntary consensus agreements
requiring health insurers operating in their states to cover routine care costs for patients enrolled in a
clinical trial, bringing the count to 30 states and the District of Columbia that require this coverage.
The agreement in Florida was especially surprising in a year when the state's legislature was
expected to focus its attention on state budget issues. When LLS entered the Florida legislative
arena last winter, the objective was to raise awareness of the need for coverage of routine care costs
for Floridians who choose to participate in a clinical trials, setting the stage for the following session.
But thanks to strong coalition leadership and grassroots efforts by advocates across the state, a
legislative champion was quickly found who pressed the issue.
State Sen. Don Gaetz recently challenged insurers operating in Florida to come to an agreement
requiring coverage - or face introduction of legislation that would do it for them. Led by his firm belief
that patients deserved access to clinical trials, a deal was quickly finalized. Patients can be grateful
to Senator Gaetz for his leadership on this issue, the volunteers that expressed the need for this
coverage to their legislators, and our coalition partners, including Humana, Inc., the American Cancer
Society, the Florida Medical Society, and Moffitt Cancer Center, for all of their hard work.
In other state campaign news, volunteers working to increase access to clinical trials in Iowa are
gearing up for an abbreviated state legislative session that begins in this month. Bills have been
pre-filed in both chambers of the state legislature to ensure immediate action once lawmakers return
to Des Moines.
In addition, a number of legislators have expressed early support for the bills once they begin
moving. State Reps. Doug Stryuk (R-Council Bluffs) and Tyler Olson (D-Cedar Rapids) submitted an
opinion piece to the Des Moines Register calling for their colleagues to pass this much-needed
legislation immediately.
Volunteers are scheduled to meet with their elected officials at the state Mission Day on Wednesday,
Feb. 17, 2010 to help Stryuk and Olson lobby for this issue. If you are interested in joining the
coalition for the in-person Mission Day, please visit the Iowa Mission Day Web site to register.
Volunteers will also descend on Albany, NY for a state Mission Day on Mon., February 1, 2010.
Advocates in New York will be lobbying their elected officials to increase logistical and financial
access to clinical trials. Legislation introduced by Assemblyman Dick Gottfried (D-Manhattan)
focuses on creating a state grant program to overcome the major barriers to patient participation in a
clinical trial, such as transportation costs, education and patient navigation.
Made even more evident in the current economy, the costs of traveling to a research institution can
make it nearly impossible for many patients to participate in a clinical trial. The creation of this state
grant program would make it possible for patients to receive financial aid that would help alleviate
these cost concerns.
Volunteers in New York are invited to participate in the state Mission Day. For more information and
to register for the event, please visit the New York Mission Day Web site.
As always, volunteer efforts will be the key to passing legislation that benefits patients with blood
cancers in these and other states. Patient stories carry the day on these issues. If you or a loved
one have a personal story to share about troubles enrolling in a clinical trial, whatever they may be,
please tell us about it at advocacy@lls.org.
Ask the Experts — Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is the third most common
malignancy. Join us for a discussion of the most
current advances in research and treatment of the
disease. Light refreshments served.
Speakers: Julio Garcia-Aguilar, M.D., Ph.D.,
Donald David, M.D., Lily Lai, M.D., and Stephen
Shibata, M.D., City of Hope
Sponsor: City of Hope
Location: Platt Conference Center, City of Hope,
Duarte, Calif.
Date and time: March 18; 6 to 8 p.m.
R.S.V.P. and info: 800-535-1390, ext. 65669
Colon cancer is the third most common
malignancy. Join us for a discussion of the most
current advances in research and treatment of the
disease. Light refreshments served.
Speakers: Julio Garcia-Aguilar, M.D., Ph.D.,
Donald David, M.D., Lily Lai, M.D., and Stephen
Shibata, M.D., City of Hope
Sponsor: City of Hope
Location: Platt Conference Center, City of Hope,
Duarte, Calif.
Date and time: March 18; 6 to 8 p.m.
R.S.V.P. and info: 800-535-1390, ext. 65669
Desert Community Forum — Hitting
Cancer Below the Belt
Come learn the latest information on prevention,
research and treatment of cancers "below the
waist." The event is free and open to the public.
Speakers: Ernest S. Han, M.D., Ph.D., and David
Josephson, M.D., City of Hope
Sponsor: City of Hope
Location: Mission Hills Country Club, Rancho
Mirage, Calif.
Date and time: March 25; 6:30 to 8 p.m.
R.S.V.P. and info: 888-221-HOPE (4673) or
RSVP@coh.org
Cancer Below the Belt
Come learn the latest information on prevention,
research and treatment of cancers "below the
waist." The event is free and open to the public.
Speakers: Ernest S. Han, M.D., Ph.D., and David
Josephson, M.D., City of Hope
Sponsor: City of Hope
Location: Mission Hills Country Club, Rancho
Mirage, Calif.
Date and time: March 25; 6:30 to 8 p.m.
R.S.V.P. and info: 888-221-HOPE (4673) or
RSVP@coh.org