Together We Can: Yvonne McLean Florence’s Journey from Breast Cancer Survivor to Advocate
Advocate Spotlight: Yvonne McLean Florence Before her cancer diagnosis, Yvonne McLean Florence had a full life. She worked as an Administrative Assistant at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, spent lots of time nurturing her family, enjoying her roles as wife, mother, grandmother, and ordained minister, while finding time ...
The Path to Purpose: Marlena Murphy Finds Meaning in the Challenges
Advocate Spotlight: Marlena Murphy Marlena Murphy’s cancer journey began when she discovered a lump in her left breast during her monthly self-check in May 2018. It was a moment that would change her life forever. Marlena contacted her primary care physician and was immediately scheduled for a diagnostic mammogram. Ultrasound ...
NCCS Urges CMS to Preserve Access to DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) hosted a public meeting, in which they sought input on its decision to sunset the S code for deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap reconstruction. NCCS has engaged in advocacy, along with other patient advocacy organizations and health care providers, to encourage CMS to reinstate the ...
NCCS and Cancer Leadership Council Issue Comments on Implementation of Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program
NCCS joined with other member organizations of the Cancer Leadership Council (CLC) in a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to comment on the Initial Memorandum for Implementation of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. In the letter, NCCS and 10 other cancer organizations — representing ...
Sharon Rivera-Sanchez: Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor Finds Passion in Fitness and Advocacy
As a Triple Negative Breast Cancer survivor, Sharon turned her personal experience into a passion for advocacy and giving back to the community. When she received her diagnosis in May 2015, she remembers being in a state of shock and grief. She said, “You have to allow yourself time to ...
NCCS Joins Cancer Leadership Council in Urging Congress to Include Priorities in Year-End Package
NCCS joined with other member organizations of the Cancer Leadership Council (CLC) in a letter urging Congress to include several key provisions in an end-of-year legislative package. In the letter, NCCS and 14 other cancer organizations, representing cancer patients, health care professionals, researchers, and caregivers, stressed that action on these ...
Amanda Helms: Care Planning, Mental Health, and Palliative Care are Essential to Quality Cancer Care
Amanda Helms was enjoying a bubble bath while reading a book when she looked down and noticed a lump on the side of her breast in January of 2020. She had a bad feeling about it instantly, even though she had no family history or risk factors. She went to ...
NCCS Joins Groups in Urging Reinstatement of Emergency Paid Sick and Family Leave in Supplemental COVID-19 Relief Package
NCCS has advocated for the inclusion of paid family and medical leave in the Build Back Better Act and will continue to elevate this policy as a priority for cancer survivors and their families. Recently, NCCS joined with other patient and caregiver organizations to send a letter urging the Biden ...
NCCS Applauds Biden Administration’s Renewed Cancer Moonshot Initiative
The Biden-Harris Administration announced they are relaunching the Cancer Moonshot initiative. As Vice President, Biden launched Cancer Moonshot in 2016 with the goal of advancing progress against cancer. As announced yesterday, the revived initiative builds upon previous commitments and adds the new goals of reducing cancer deaths by 50% over ...
NCCS Advocate Spotlight: Rebecca Esparza
Advocate Spotlight January 2022 | Rebecca Esparza In August of 2001, 30-year-old Rebecca Esparza noticed her clothes weren’t fitting the way they should. Although she was an avid fan of step aerobics and running, her stomach seemed to be consistently bloated. By September, Rebecca felt the need to make an ...
