Congressman and Mrs. Bachus Nationally Honored for Cancer Awareness and Research Advocacy

Press Release

Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6) and his wife, Linda, have received national recognition for their advocacy on behalf of cancer awareness and research.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) presented Congressman Bachus with its most prestigious legislative award, the National Distinguished Advocacy Award for Excellence in Cancer-Fighting Public Policy, during its national conference in Washington. Bachus has been a strong advocate for research funding for the National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute, authored a provision signed into law authorizing Medicare coverage of prostate cancer screenings for eligible males, and most recently has served as a lead cosponsor of legislation to expand the availability of palliative and supportive care programs for patients with cancer and other serious illnesses.

Congressman Bachus said, "Virtually every family is affected by cancer in some way. The fight against this disease should be a national priority and bipartisan cause in Congress. With the development of new drugs and treatments, an increasing number of cancers can be managed and even cured. But we also must work on better strategies to prevent cancers from developing in the first place. It is a great honor to be recognized by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network in this way and I must share any credit with my wife Linda, who is responsible for helping me to become involved with this important cause."

In Washington for the conference, the Executive Vice President of the American Cancer Society's Mid-South Division, Kelly Doss of Birmingham, and volunteers Jane Sepanski and Kathryn Molnar of Auburn met with Congressman Bachus to discuss legislation affecting cancer patients and medical research.

Mrs. Bachus received the Congressional Families Leadership Award from the Prevent Cancer Foundation during its annual Capitol Hill awards program. Mrs. Bachus, NBC News Chief Medical Editor Nancy Snyderman, and CVS Health were the 2014 honorees. The event was moderated by noted broadcast journalist Paula Zahn.

Mrs. Bachus was the first executive director of the Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program and helped expand the involvement of Members of Congress and their spouses with cancer awareness and prevention initiatives. She has testified in front of Congress in support of the work of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and served on the board of the Children's Inn at the NIH.

Mrs. Bachus said, "My time leading the Congressional Families program of the Prevent Cancer Foundation was very special to me. As congressional spouses, we have a unique opportunity to raise awareness about cancer prevention and early detection in our home communities. Together, we can help educate the public and make an impact on health nationwide."

Congressman and Mrs. Bachus have been involved with legislative and charitable initiatives involving a wide range of cancers, including childhood cancers, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, in both Alabama and Washington, D.C.

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