[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 16, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1421]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      MY LIFE IS WORTH IT CAMPAIGN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 2014

  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, few words are more isolating and strike 
fear in the heart of a person or the parent of a child than cancer. 
36,570 Tennesseans will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Thankfully, 
due to the work of thousands of scientists, death rates due to all 
cancers continue to decline. 14 million Americans who are cancer 
survivors will celebrate their birthdays this year. These stories of 
hope in the face of a devastating illness inspire us all.
  But not everyone is surviving. It is sobering to think, in the U.S., 
someone dies because of cancer every 60 seconds. We must continue the 
fight against this devastating illness. We must examine all barriers to 
finding the cure for all cancers.
  One such barrier is the time it takes for new therapies to reach the 
patient. Delays occur at the regulatory level and at the reimbursement 
level. The time it takes for a new drug to move from the laboratory to 
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval can take 10-15 years. 
Additional time is spent in determining the reimbursement level by the 
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
  Recently, the FDA showed that it has the flexibility to greatly 
shorten the time line to approval. A meningitis vaccine, not previously 
available in the U.S., was granted FDA approval in a remarkably 
shortened timeline. The landmark decision came after meningitis 
outbreaks at U.S. colleges resulted in deaths and disability and a 
great public outcry.
  The same flexibility needs to be shown to those who have cancer and 
are reaching for promising therapies that regulators have kept just out 
of their reach.
  I am pleased that the grassroots organization, ``My Life is Worth 
It,'' has begun an online campaign to collect one million signatures in 
support of several critical actions that can be taken to bring 
innovative cancer therapies to the patients that need them most.
  On September 16th there will be a powerful display around the Capitol 
Reflecting Pool on the National Mall. The ``Lights of Hope'' sponsored 
by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is estimated to 
involve over 15,000 committed advocates, serving as a beacon of hope to 
those who have been touched by cancer--while remembering those who have 
been lost. As we look out on the National Mall and see these lights, 
let Congress resolve to do all we can to ensure that those who need it 
most have the hope to survive and live a happy and fruitful life.

                          ____________________