Kirkland cancer survivor heads to Washington, D.C.

On September 29, Kirkland resident Eunice Hotstetter joins more than 750 cancer patients, survivors, volunteers and staff from all 50 states and nearly every congressional district in Washington, D.C., as part of the annual American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Leadership Summit and Lobby Day. Advocates will ask Congress to take specific steps to make cancer a national priority and help end a disease that still kills 1,600 people a day in this country.

Hotstetter, a 12-year breast cancer survivor and lead ambassador for Washington’s army of ACS CAN cancer volunteers, hopes to meet with Congresswoman Suzan DelBene and senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray to discuss the need to support an increase in cancer research funding. She’ll ask them to co-sponsor legislation that supports patients’ quality of life and to support legislation that would close a Medicare loophole that often results in surprise costs for seniors when a polyp is found during a routine colonoscopy.

“One in two men and one in three women will hear the words ‘you have cancer’ in their lifetime. We need a full and unwavering commitment from Congress to take action to help prevent and treat cancer,” said Hotstetter. “We want our lawmakers to know that Washington volunteers, and those from every state, are counting on them to take a stand.”