LaShana Harris Joins Lung Cancer Advocates from Every State on Capitol Hill to Fight for More Research Funding

Local LUNG FORCE Hero Joined Volunteers from Across the Country to Urge Congress to Support Robust, Sustained Federal Funding Increases for Research

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Representative Andy Barr with LaShana Harris

LOUISVILLE KY (03/24/2016)(readMedia)-- LaShana Harris of Frankfort joined last week with the American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE initiative and other "LUNG FORCE Heroes" – Americans personally impacted by lung cancer – from every state at the U.S. Capitol to press their representatives and senators for continued bipartisan momentum toward defeating lung cancer.

As the American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE Hero for Kentucky, she traveled to Washington, D.C., along with others from across the United States who have been personally impacted by lung cancer. She met with staff members of Senator Mitch McConnell and Senator Rand Paul, and directly with her district's Congressman, Andy Barr, and asked them to help increase research funding.

She shared the lung cancer story of her best friend; reminding them that while we're making progress in the fight against lung cancer, now is the time to build on our momentum and do more.

The unfortunate truth is that lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer; if you have lungs you can get it.

The misconception for years has been that lung cancer is a smoker's disease, but the reality is that if you have lungs, you are susceptible to lung cancer. No one ever expects to get lung cancer.

LaShana's best friend, Keisha Kirkland was a healthy, active, and an athletic non-smoker who was diagnosed with lung cancer. She was a young mother, wife, daughter, sister and best friend and never thought that she would be diagnosed with lung cancer. Keisha fought lung cancer for 5 long years undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and an array of medical treatments before she lost the battle.

LaShana said that Keisha is the reason she is so committed to the fight against lung cancer; stating that "my voice is her voice in this battle against cancer."

Investing in research will lead to a better early detection, improved treatments and longer survival for thousands of people diagnosed with lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the top cancer killer in Kentucky and we need all Kentuckians to know that we can make a difference together. Our collective voices are our strongest weapon in the fight against cancer.

Visit LUNGFORCE.org to join LaShana and others in advocating for lung cancer research to your Senators and Representatives in Washington, D.C. Together, let's defeat lung cancer.

Learn more about LaShana's story at www.lungforce.org/shared-story/LaShana-H