New Jersey Gubernatorial Candidates Go on the Record with Their Positions on Cancer Issues

TRENTON, NJ –October 5, 2017 – Both candidates for governor of New Jersey have publicly stated their positions on how, if elected, they would work to make cancer a policy priority. As part of its Cancer Votes program, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is contacting candidates across the country in a nationwide effort to educate the public and encourage candidates to state their positions on laws and policies that help people fight cancer.

ACS CAN, the nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, asked candidates in the gubernatorial race, Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno and Ambassador Phil Murphy, to publicly state their positions on funding cancer research, maintaining a strong tobacco control program, cancer pain control and quality of life care. Candidate responses can be seen at  CancerVotes.org/NJ.

“While we have made great progress against cancer, the disease still continues to kill 1,600 people a day in this country – 44 people a day here in New Jersey. Fighting cancer should be a priority both nationally and at the state level,” said ACS CAN spokesperson Marc Kaplan. “Elected officials have the power to make decisions that directly impact the lives of cancer patients and their families, which is why it is important that the public understands where candidates stand on issues critical to fighting and preventing the disease.”

“As a cancer survivor, I know firsthand how important the decisions of elected officials can be to people with cancer and their families,” said ACS CAN New Jersey State Lead Ambassador Diana Hoover-Sulewski. “That is why I am asking everyone to learn where the candidates stand on public policy issues that will help make cancer history. And no matter who wins, our volunteers pledge to work with all of our elected officials to support laws and policies that help people fight cancer.”

It is estimated that in 2017 in New Jersey, there will be nearly 52,000 people diagnosed with cancer and nearly 16,000 people will die from the disease. Nationwide, in 2017, more than 1.6 million people will be diagnosed with cancer and more than 600,000 will die from the disease.

From now through Election Day, volunteers throughout the state will be informing candidates and the public about cancer issues in an effort to make cancer a public policy priority. As part of this effort, ACS CAN volunteers in New Jersey are advocating to ensure access to necessary pain medication and treatment for cancer patients and survivors, increased funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs, increased funding for innovative cancer research being undertaken at institutions across New Jersey, and enhanced access to specialized medical care that will provide the best possible quality of life for patients and their families.

ACS CAN is strictly non-partisan and does not endorse, oppose, or contribute to any candidate or political party.

ACS S CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.acscan.org.

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