This year alone, more than 20,000 Iowans will hear the life-changing words: “You have cancer.” Tragically, over 6,000 of our friends, neighbors, and loved ones won’t survive it.
Why it matters: Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in our state, taking the life of 1 in 5 Iowans. Too often, families face the heartbreak of late diagnoses or the crushing burden of treatment costs.
Behind every number is a person — and I’ve heard directly from Iowans who were failed by delayed diagnoses, missed screenings, or a health care system that left them behind.
Today, I joined the American Cancer Society’s Rally in Washington to bring a bipartisan focus to where it’s needed most: prevention, access, and research.
But this fight can’t be won with speeches or slogans — that’s why we’re working across the aisle to:
âś… Expand access to preventive screeningsÂ
âś… Increase support for clinical trials, especially for childhood cancers
âś… Ensure rural Iowans can access the care they need close to homeÂ
Bottom Line: Cancer isn’t a red or blue issue — it’s a life-or-death one. I’ll keep working across the aisle to deliver better care for patients and demand accountability from a system that’s failing too many families.