A Mississippian who lost her mother to cancer at a young age is hopeful that federal lawmakers will dedicate funding to research and prevention programs.
Casey Rinewalt, a Mississippian who volunteers for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), joined more than 750 cancer patients, survivors, and those who have lost loved ones in Washington, D.C., in September. The group convened in the nation’s capital as part of ACS CAN’s annual Leadership Summit and Lobby Day.
While in Washington, Rinewalt spent time with Mississippi’s congressional delegation and staffers to push for further funding for cancer research. Rinewalt, at 12 years old, lost her mother to adrenal carcinoma. Since then, she’s been on a mission to help find a cure for cancer, so that others will not have to endure what she went through at such a young age.
“My mom is my ‘why,'” Rinewalt said. “That was my driving force to want to participate in this and help push for policies and continue to vie for the highest possible funding for research.”
Mississippi’s congressional delegation is made up of U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith, along with Reps. Trent Kelly, Bennie Thompson, Michael Guest, and Mike Ezell. Thompson is the lone Democrat of the bunch, as the rest are Republicans.
While spending time with each member of Congress and their staffers, Rinewalt said she gathered that the elected officials are serious about cancer research and doing all they can to ensure that Mississippians are taken care of. She also learned that cancer hits home for all of the state’s federal lawmakers, as each has encountered it rearing its ugly head in their lives, whether it be personally or through a loved one.
“It was fantastic to get to see and lay eyes on everybody and have everybody in the room,” Rinewalt said. “Knowing that we have their understanding of this is a no-brainer — we need to be able to do what we can to support our patients and people in Mississippi, is crucial.
“Cancer has touched every one of our legislators’ lives. They have their own stories to share. They have a deep tie and connection to it. It’s a thing we need to do. It’s something that we should do for the greater good, so that way we should take care of everybody. It was rewarding to see everybody on the same page.”
Congress could look a little different after the November midterms. Republicans hold majorities in both the House and Senate, but politicos expect that to change soon. Democrats are projected to reclaim the House and have momentum in Senate races, as well.
Rinewalt, however, is not concerned about a potential domino effect a changing of the guard could have on cancer research funding. Rather, she believes lawmakers are more than willing to cross the aisle to help patients, as cancer is indiscriminate in who it impacts. She further asserted that ACS CAN will continue its lobbying efforts regardless of which political party is in power.
“Cancer doesn’t care who you are or what side you sit on. It depends on what we can do to help support patients,” Rinewalt said. “We are here to help make sure that those voices are heard. That way, we can continue to help fight the good fight and help make sure that, regardless of whether the change of the guard happens, the mission is still seen and we’re still doing everything we can to take care of our fellow Mississippians.”
In the last 30 years, substantial increases in federal cancer research funding have fueled discovery and innovation that have led to a 34% decline in cancer mortality rates, ACS CAN officials noted. One specific piece of legislation officials are pushing to continue successes in the fight against cancer is the Clinical Trial Modernization Act. The bill, which has been introduced in the House and Senate, serves to remove financial and geographic barriers that prevent low-income patients from joining medical clinical trials.