Fitness instructor shares experiences at Capitol Hill

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LAUGHLIN AFB, Texas --  A Laughlin fitness instructor shared her experiences battling cancer with the nation's elected leaders recently.

LauraLynn Jansen, not only a fitness instructor here but a cancer survivor and advocate, joined the Lance Armstrong Foundation in Washington, D.C., on Capitol Hill to lobby for support for the Cancer Screening, Treatment and Survivorship Act of 2007 (S. 1415 and H.R. 2353). The act is new bipartisan legislation that offers a bold expansion of access to early detection and corresponding early treatment and survivorship services. 

Jansen was one of four people in the nation last year to win the coveted LIVESTRONG award, presented by the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

The bill is aimed to reduce cancer mortality rates, improve quality of life for those diagnosed with cancer and increase access to early detection and care. Further, the bill calls for strategic investments in research and in the cancer control infrastructure that would multiply those survival gains over time.

Jansen was one of the 200 advocates who joined Lance Armstrong to participate in LIVESTRONG Day, the LAF's annual grassroots advocacy initiative to unite people affected by cancer and raise awareness about cancer issues.

"The experience I received during LIVESTRONG Day was unforgettable. It was an honor to ask Representative Rodriguez and Senators Hutchison and Cornyn to support legislation that expands access to screening, treatment, and survivor care on behalf of Americans," said Jansen. "Participating in LIVESTRONG Day was important to me because as a twenty year survivor I have seen a lot of people lose the battle and survive the battle with cancer. There are now over 10.5 million cancer survivors living in the United States. This number has tripled over the last 30 years; and it will only grow as an anticipated 1.4 million Americans are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year alone. Cancer needs to be a national priority."

"This visit to Capitol Hill was one of my best ever, impacted by the positive support I felt from our local Representative Ciro D. Rodriguez and the promise of aides to both Texas Senators Cornyn and Hutchison to address this issue with the Senators. The whole experience was a reaffirmation of the power we hold individually to speak our needs and wants to those who represent us. I am looking forward to returning next year and continuing our unified message with other cancer organizations across the nation," said Jansen.