Voices Summit attendees 2025

The GO2 Lung Cancer Voices Summit, held March 9-11 in Washington, D.C., mobilized nearly 200 patients, survivors, caregivers, and advocates from more than 30 key states in a powerful call for action on Capitol Hill. Focused on securing the highest possible increases in cancer research funding for all federal agencies, the Voices Summit emphasized the urgent need for congressional action to reverse the policies that disrupt critical cancer studies and delay new treatments that will save more lives. 

GO2’s Lung Cancer Voices Summit is the only annual gathering that unites the lung cancer community for education, training, connection, and advocacy with the federal government. We are so grateful for our advocates, who took to Capitol Hill to share with lawmakers why prioritizing policies that support the lung cancer community is more critical now than ever. 

By the numbers 

This year was a milestone event in more ways than one. Highlights include:  

  • 138 meetings with representatives on Capitol Hill 
  • 176 attendees, including 101 first-timers 
  • 3,559 messages sent to lawmakers, amplifying our in-person asks 

Our key priorities 

Advocates urged Congress to take action on the following policy priorities that support the lung cancer community:   

  • Our request for Fiscal Year 2025
    Protect lung cancer research and oppose the cut to the Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) from $1.509 billion to $650 million – a 57% reduction from the FY24 enacted level. We learned that lung cancer research funding in FY25 was eliminated from the continuing resolution budget and are actively advocating to restore it.  
  • Our request for Fiscal Year 2026
    Support lung cancer research. Request full $60 million for the Lung Cancer Research Program (LCRP) under the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) at the Department of Defense. 
  • Support the highest possible federal medical research funding levels for: 
    • National Institutes of Health (NIH) 
    • National Cancer Institute (NCI) 
    • Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) 
    • Food and Drug Administration (FDA)   
  • Support 2 priority bills to improve outcomes for the lung cancer community:   
    • Co-sponsor the bi-partisan and bi-cameral Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Thanks to the leadership of Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA-2) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) and Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) we are pleased to report that the bill has been re-introduced. This builds on the momentum established last Congress with a renewed commitment to accelerate life-saving change for women impacted by lung cancer
    • Pass the House Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act (R. 842) and the Senate Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act (S. 339). 

Award recipients  

At the Voices Summit, GO2 held an awards presentation to recognize and celebrate individuals who have impacted the lung cancer community. Congratulations to these dedicated award winners:   

  • Sydney Barned, MD, 2025 Advocacy Leadership Award for Excellence in Community Engagement & Awareness 
    Barned is a lung cancer survivor, physician, and fierce advocate. Her dedication to raising awareness and pushing for progress has made a lasting impact. Her story is a testament to the power of advocacy.  
  • Senator Tina Smith, 2025 Honorable Michael G. Oxley Congressional Leadership Award for Excellence in Community Engagement and Awareness
    As a tireless advocate and sponsor of the Women and Lung Cancer Research & Preventive Services Act, Senator Smith has played a pivotal role in raising awareness, expanding access to preventive care, and advancing early detection efforts that save lives. Her leadership designating November as National Lung Cancer Awareness Month continues to bring critical attention to this disease.  Watch Senator Smith’s acceptance remarks. 
  • Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, Honorable Michael G. Oxley Congressional Leadership Advocacy Award
    Representative Fitzpatrick’s unwavering commitment to the lung cancer community, especially his work on the Women and Lung Cancer Research & Preventive Services Act, has been instrumental in advancing bipartisan solutions.  

Raise your voice year-round!  

There is no need to wait until the next Voices Summit to be a lung cancer advocate. You can add your voice to amplify our ongoing legislative priorities from home. We need to keep up the momentum year-round to create lasting change. Send a pre-drafted message to lawmakers from home in just minutes through Voter Voice.

 

SEND A MESSAGE TO LAWMAKERS

Pictures from the 2025 Lung Cancer Voices Summit

Our professional photographer captured many special moments at this year’s Voices Summit. Please review our photo album from the event, and feel free to download, share or post your favorite image to your social media network. Don’t forget to tag us too! 

Thank you to our 2025 Lung Cancer Voices Summit sponsors 

AstraZeneca, Merck, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Genentech, Grail, Johnson & Johnson, Novocure, Regeneron