Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute’s Brandon Hayes-Lattin, M.D., will join the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) in Washington, D.C., on Capitol Hill Wednesday, May 16, to demand that our nation’s leaders invest in resources, treatment and services for people affected by cancer.

The LAF selected Hayes-Lattin as one of 200 advocates to participate in LIVESTRONG Day, the LAF’s grassroots advocacy initiative to unite people affected by cancer and raise awareness about cancer issues. More than 10 million Americans are living with cancer.

Hayes-Lattin, a cancer survivor himself, is medical director of the OHSU Cancer Institute’s  Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) oncology program, which has been funded by the LAF. The mission of this state-of-the-art program is to develop and disseminate more effective methods to diagnose, treat, follow and care for young adults with cancer aged 15 to 40. Hayes-Lattin is a member of the organizing committee of the Lance Armstrong Foundation's Young Adult Alliance.

“I am honored to join the Lance Armstrong Foundation for LIVESTRONG Day, and I look forward to the opportunity to talk to Oregon’s congressional leaders about my personal and professional passion to make cancer a national priority,” said Hayes-Lattin.

He continued: “Suffering and death from cancer is a critical problem. It’s estimated that 560,000 Americans will die from cancer this year, and more than 10 million of us are living after a cancer diagnosis. As both the medical director of the AYA oncology program and as a young adult cancer survivor, I am struck by the fact that cancer is the No. 1 disease killer of young adults, and that no substantial progress in survival rates among young adults with cancer has been made since the 1970s. These facts are simply not acceptable, and I’m proud to travel to Washington, D.C, to represent all who demand a renewed commitment to the cancer fight.

“The cancer problem requires the combined attention and committed resources of individuals, corporations, research institutions and government programs to make a meaningful impact. One such union that I am proud to co-chair is the LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance, a coalition of organizations bringing together key voices in the cancer community for the first time to effect positive results for young adults with cancer. These efforts require increased funding of cancer programs, services and research within the National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Oregonians have shown their willingness to step up in this fight, and through those efforts Oregon is in a position to lead progress. Through new partnerships across a wide range of providers and researchers in the greater Oregon cancer community, and with the generous commitment and support of individuals and large corporations, OHSU has created one of only a handful of AYA oncology programs in the United States. With this program in place, we strive to lead the fight for better outcomes for all young adults facing cancer.

“Now is the time for all of us to unite in this fight. Now is the time to increase - not decrease -  funding to cancer programs and research through the National Cancer Institute. Now is the time to pass legislation that expands access to cancer screening, treatment and care. United we will engage individuals and communities to raise awareness and funding for the fight against cancer. United we will make cancer a national priority and end needless death and suffering due to cancer.”    

In addition to the LAF’s efforts in Washington, D.C., approximately 200 LIVESTRONG Day events will be held in communities across the country to engage communities with experiences that increase awareness and show support for cancer survivors and their loved ones.  In Portland, the LIVESTRONG Challenge is scheduled for Sept. 29 - 30 at the Nike World headquarters. (For more information: www.livestrongchallenge.org.) 
 

The OHSU Cancer Institute is the only National Cancer Institute center between Sacramento and Seattle. It comprises some 120 clinical researchers, basic scientists and population scientists who work together to translate scientific discoveries into longer and better lives for Oregon's cancer patients. In the lab, basic scientists examine cancer cells and normal cells to uncover molecular abnormalities that cause the disease. This basic science informs more than 200 clinical trials conducted at the OHSU Cancer Institute. To learn more about the OHSU cancer Institute, visit: www.OHSUcancer.com. 

The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) unites people to fight cancer. The LAF believes that unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything. The LAF provides the practical information and tools people battling cancer need to live life on their own terms. The LAF also takes aim at the gaps between what is known and what is done to prevent death and suffering due to cancer.  The foundations engages with and advocates for the public at large to pursue an agenda focused on prevention, ensuring access to screening and care, investment in research, and improving the quality of life for people affected by cancer. Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, the LAF is located in Austin, Texas. To learn more about the Lance Armstrong Foundation, visit livestrong.org.