Delaware cancer advocates go to Washington

Two Delaware residents went to Congress Sept. 16-17 to meet with elected officials over funding and legislation aimed to help people suffering from cancer.

Donna Holland of Rehoboth Beach and Naima Gibson of Middletown were among 750 cancer patients, survivors and caregivers from around the country to take part in the annual American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Leadership Summit and Lobby Day. 

Holland and Gibson met with Delaware’s congressional delegation – Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons and Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester – to lobby for two asks: increased funding for cancer research and for the passage of the Medicare Screening Coverage Act, a law that would allow for Medicare to cover new early detection tests once they are approved and proved effective. Gibson said this blood test would be less intrusive and would cover multiple cancers at one time. 

After meeting with lawmakers, those who made the trip gathered at the Constitution Gardens near the Capitol to take part in a Lights of Hope ceremony, in which they held up illuminated bags decorated with the names of those who have faced a cancer diagnosis as a message of hope. 

Holland has been an advocate in the fight against cancer after her sister died from the disease in 2020. Holland had been her sister’s caregiver. In addition, Holland’s daughter was diagnosed with Wilms tumor at the age of 5. After her daughter’s recovery, Holland served as a caregiver to friends and family members. 

Holland said the fight against cancer is very personal for her.

“I wanted to pay it forward and be a caregiver,” she said. “I’ve lost too many people. We need to be able to find a cure for cancer.”

Holland said the Medicare Screening Coverage Act in particular is a huge step in detecting cancer sooner, leading to early treatment. She said that was a benefit her sister did not have; her sister was diagnosed at Stage 4, the time when the cancer has started spreading to the rest of the body.

Holland said there have been 7,000 new cancer cases in Delaware in 2024 so far and the disease affects everyone. She said besides increased funding and legislation, she would also like to see more people to volunteer for the network, as well as increased sponsorship. 

For more information on the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, go to www.fightcancer.org.