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Sen. Durbin, Rep. Wittman to Receive Cancer Research Ally Award
Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA) will be honored with the Cancer Research Ally Award before the 2024 AACI/AACR Hill Day, which will be held on Thursday, May 16. The awards will be presented during an evening reception on Wednesday, May 15.
Sen. Durbin has been a tireless advocate for medical and cancer research for Illinois and across the United States. He was a lead on the AACI-endorsed American Cures Act, which aims to provide a sustained national investment in biomedical research. Sen. Durbin has also co-sponsored the AACI-endorsed Lymphedema Treatment Act. Known as one of the foremost champions of medical research and health equity on Capitol Hill, Sen. Durbin received nominations from individuals at two AACI cancer centers.
Rep. Wittman has been a powerful advocate for fostering collaboration and ensuring equitable access to health care across the districts within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Rep. Wittman has co-sponsored AACI-endorsed legislation, such as the Cancer Drug Parity Act, Lymphedema Treatment Act, the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Screening Act, the Safe Step Act, and the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act. He has also been a co-sponsor of cancer-related legislation including the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act and the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act.
The annual Cancer Research Ally Award recognizes two members of Congress (one Democrat and one Republican) for their support of and advocacy for cancer research. Past recipients have included Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), Brian Higgins (D-NY), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Kathy Castor (D-FL), and Fred Upton (R-MI); and Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO).
Registration for Hill Day closes at 5:00 pm eastern time on Tuesday, May 7.