Lance Armstrong - Presidential Candidates Forum on Cancer

[OzarkDem]

Its time to start asking the hard questions of our leaders about what they intend to do to deal with the nation's #1 killer - cancer.

Its not enough to do "stop smoking" campaigns. Nearly 1/3 of all cancer deaths could be wiped out today if people had access to quality screening and treatment. But the sad fact remains that not everyone has access to quality cancer care. And its the last group anyone wants to cover in health care reform - even Democrats back away - because of the cost.

We all fight hard to provide health care for children, why can't we be as passionate in demanding health care for those going through the same experience as Tammy Faye Baker or Elizabeth Edwards?

http://www.ambassadorsevents.com/livestrong/

"The 2008 presidential elections will offer Americans a unique opportunity to push for a national strategy for fighting cancer. The LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum will provide candidates an opportunity to detail their respective policy plans for fighting cancer, a disease that kills 560,000 Americans every year."

[Kolesar]

1. So, Lance Armstrong is angling this issue into the presidential primary in Iowa

(Presidential caucus to be more correct.) This sounds like good messaging. Too bad I'm 700 miles away.

[OzarkDem]

2. Well if you're in the Cleveland area

We'll be bringing it up here, too. PM me for information about local cancer advocacy events. Its not the most popular activity - most think breast cancer survivors should put on a pink ribbon then lay down and die rather than asking politicians some hard questions.

Surprisingly, Dems have been very resistant to this idea. They have a hard time grappling with the cancer issue outside of stop smoking campaigns, telling people to eat fruits and veg and wearing pink ribbon pins. It should be a natural issue for them but they run the other way when you try to get them to start talking seriously about it.

[Inspired]

3. Edwards will be riding with Lance Armstrong

on Wednesday in RAGBRAI (Registers Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa)

http://www.ragbrai.org/

He is the first candidate to sign up.

[OzarkDem]

4. I'll be interested in hearing his answers

I'm still not sure about his current health care plan when it applies to cancer care.