The #1 cancer killer in our nation, lung cancer, took my mother's life in 1989 and is still taking lives in 2016. My mother was diagnosed and after her initial treatment, the cancer resurfaced and she died less than two years later at age 79. At the time, we had several smokers in our house and we didn't know that the extreme effects of second hand smoke could lead to a lung cancer diagnosis in a non-smoker. When my mother lost her life to lung cancer, all of our lives changed.
I am proud to representative the District of Columbia on behalf of everyone whose lives have also been affected by lung cancer. While it is the #1 cancer killer of women and men in the U.S., there is hope and progress towards defeating lung cancer through education and research. I support the work that the American Lung Association is doing to make our communities a smoke free place to live, work and raise a family and I am honored to share my story on Capitol Hill with decision makers who can help make change happen.
