Advocates traveled to Washington, D.C. to urge Congress to increase research resources in the fight against stomach cancer.
WASHINGTON, March 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer (DDF) hosted its 4th Annual Stomach Cancer Capitol Hill Advocacy Day in Washington D.C. on February 10 – 11, 2016. While in D.C., 40 advocates representing 15 states met with more than 85 lawmakers and congressional leaders to express concerns over the lack of federal funding directed toward stomach cancer research. Advocates also presented the latest statistics and facts and relayed their own journeys and experiences. DDF's ultimate priorities were to (1) encourage the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to increase resources for stomach cancer research and (2) for the Department of Defense's Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) to keep stomach cancer on the list of cancers eligible for funding.
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DDF was honored to present Senator Mazie K. Hirono with the Congressional Champion Award in recognition of her support of DDF's mission and stomach cancer awareness on a congressional level. "We were honored to have the opportunity to meet with key legislators such as Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and U.S. Representative Lois Frankel who helped us navigate through the processes needed to influence the allocation of government funds to stomach cancer research," said DDF President and Founder Debbie Zelman. "It is incredible to have continuous support from congressional representatives and leaders in the fight against stomach cancer." DDF was also pleased to award its inaugural Volunteer of the Year Award to North Carolina East Co-Chapter Founders Christina and Anthony Leonard for their incredible devotion to DDF and the fight against stomach cancer.
About Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer
Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer (DDF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about stomach cancer, advancing funding for research, and providing education and support internationally to patients, families, and caregivers. Debbie's Dream Foundation seeks as its ultimate goal to make the cure for stomach cancer a reality.
DDF was founded in 2009 by Debbie Zelman after she was diagnosed with stage IV incurable stomach cancer in 2008 and given only weeks to live. Zelman immediately began to educate herself about this disease and to seek the best available care. When she responded favorably to her treatment, Debbie founded DDF which now has chapters throughout the United States, Canada, and Germany and a Medical Advisory Board of renowned doctors from across the country and internationally. Now, almost eight years later, Debbie is still receiving chemotherapy and is thrilled to be able to watch her three children grow up. To learn more about DDF, please visit us at www.DebbiesDream.org.
Media Contact:
Adriana Bates
Communications Coordinator
Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer
(954) 475-1200
Email
www.DebbiesDream.org