GO2 for Lung Cancer’s Voices Summit is the only annual meeting that brings the lung cancer community together for education, training, connection and advocacy action with our federal government, the largest funder of cancer research. 

Nearly one hundred advocates from over half of the country gathered in Washington, DC for this year’s Summit. Over the course of three days, participants learned about the latest research and treatment developments from lung cancer experts, received professional advocacy training, shared their personal lung cancer stories and asked for support from their elected leaders. 

“Advocating on Capitol Hill made me feel a part of something big, something very important. I felt stronger and more empowered. It also allowed me to meet other survivors and advocates, an experience like no other. We build community and work together for the cause.” –Alisa Brenes 

Our “Asks” 

Advocates made three asks of their representatives this year: 

  1. Submit appropriations request of $60 million for the CDMRP dedicated Lung Cancer Research Program in the FY24 Defense Appropriations Bill. Forty-five representatives signed onto Rep. Boyle’s Dear Colleague Letter and 18 Senators co-signed a similar letter circulated by Senator Jack Reed.  
  2. Support cancer research; $51 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) $9.988 billion for the National Cancer Institute (NCI) At least $1.5 billion for Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health ARPA-H. 
  3. Co-sponsor the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act that accelerates access to cancer screening tests, including lung cancer once the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) gives its approval. 
Award Winners

An awards presentation is always part of the Summit agenda to recognize and celebrate the amazing work of some particularly impactful members of the lung cancer community. Congratulations to these impressive 2023 award winners: 

  • Larry Gershon was the Rays of Hope Award recipient. This award recognizes extraordinary individuals who demonstrated tremendous leadership and dedicated themselves to inspiring hope in people with lung cancer. 
  • Heidi Nafman Onda received event signature award, the Lung Cancer Voices Summit Volunteer Advocacy Award which recognizes individuals who make profound advocacy advances for our community. 
  • Sarah Bechard, LSCSW & Michelle Hills, LCSW (ret), were the National Support Group Facilitator Award recipients. This award honors those that have shown uncommon dedication in leading and maintaining lung cancer support groups in their communities and online.  
  • 2023 support group facilitator awardees
Anyone Can Be an Advocate

No need to wait until next year to be an advocate! You can add your voice to amplify their message from home. The more voices we raise, the more we are likely to make a change! Contact your lawmakers today! 

take action!

Interested in joining us in Washington, D.C. next year? The 2024 Lung Cancer Voices Summit will take place Sunday, March 3 – Tuesday, March 5. Sign up to be the first to know when registration opens. 

Thank you to our sponsors! 

AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, Catalyst, Eisai, Genentech, Gilead, Regeneron, and Sanofi