TRENTON, NJ –March 27, 2019– American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) New Jersey Government Relations Director Samantha DeAlmeida released this statement following testifying along with ACS CAN Volunteer Bill Cronin before the New Jersey State Assembly Budget Committee. DeAlmeida also testified with Volunteer Tom Delleart  last week before the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

“ACS CAN was pleased to speak to the New Jersey State Assembly Budget Committee today and previously to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on the life-saving importance of cancer related programs that are funded by the state budget. We are very encouraged that Governor Murphy’s proposed budget allocates steady funding for these programs.

“It is projected that in 2019 more than 53,000 New Jerseyans will hear the chilling message that they have cancer. Approximately 16,000 of our state’s residents will lose their lives to cancer this year. We know that we can and must do better.

“ACS CAN commends the governor’s proposed budget for maintaining $7 million in funding for the New Jersey Tobacco Control Program, that helps smokers quit and works with young people to help them not start. We also thank the governor for maintaining a $2 million appropriation for the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research which provides peer reviewed scientific grants and for maintaining $9.5 million in funding for the New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection Screening Program (NJCEED). This program provides free cancer screening for breast, cervical, colorectal and prostate cancer. Detected early, these cancers are more easily treated. Failing to have these cancers detected early can lead to deadly consequences.

“ACS CAN looks forward to working with both houses of the state legislature and Governor Murphy through the budgetary process as we help address the many cancer related issues that rely on state budget funding, including: state funding for the tobacco control and cessation program; research; and lifesaving cancer screenings. These are all vital programs that help protect the health of all of our residents.”

ACS 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.fightcancer.org.

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