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

Chardon Resident Urges Robust, Sustained Federal Funding Increases for Research

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Lynn Merkle with Ohio Senator Rob Portman discussing funding for lung cancer research -1

INDEPENDENCE OH (03/24/2016)(readMedia)-- Lynn Merkle of Chardon joined 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 last week to press Senators Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown along with U.S. Representative David Joyce for continued bipartisan momentum toward defeating lung cancer.

During Advocacy Day, Lynn shared her personal experience with lung cancer, explaining that just 18 months ago, she was enjoying a very healthy and active lifestyle that included running more than 20 miles per week, taking strength training classes and working full-time.

However, she had a nagging dry cough that she ignored until convinced by friends to have the cough checked by a doctor. Within 24 hours she had the results of an x-ray showing a spot on her lungs that was found to be a large malignant tumor. Two weeks later, she had a lobectomy, to remove the tumor and the lower left lobe of her lung.

I started walking circles in the hospital and continued the walking while I rehabilitated at home for 5 weeks. After 6 weeks, I started the first of four chemotherapy treatments spaced three weeks apart.

In between treatments, I returned to work, to working out and to life after cancer.

The unfortunate truth is lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer that ANYONE can get. And yet, lung cancer research lags behind funding for other cancers. That's why I joined the American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE initiative's first ever Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill on March 16 pushing for increased funding for research so there can be better treatments and early detection for lung cancer.

As she explains it:

I traveled to Washington D.C., decked out in turquoise (the color of the cause), along with others from across the country who have been personally impacted by lung cancer to ask Senator Rob Portman and Senator Sherrod Brown and my Congressman, David Joyce, to help increase research funding. I wanted them to hear my story and to understand how anyone can get lung cancer thus necessitating the need for more research and more funding for early detection as early detection saves lives.

I had an opportunity to hear some amazing stories from other lung cancer survivors! Women who beat the cancer not once, not twice and in some cases three times!! Women who wanted to survive, women who held hope for a cure, women with amazing strength and courage. And I was one of them.

Our collective voices are our strongest weapon in the fight. I encourage everyone to visit LUNGFORCE.org and use the provided link to join me in advocating for lung cancer research to your Senators and Representatives in Washington D.C. Together, let's defeat lung cancer.

To learn more about her story (http://lungforce.org/shared-story/lynn-m) and the LUNG FORCE initiative, visit LUNGFORCE.org.