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Help Reignite the "War on Cancer"

The 21st Century Cancer ALERT Act, just introduced in the Senate, is our chance to reignite America's war on cancer – strengthening cancer research, developing new early detection tools and treatments, and improving cancer care.

We need to make sure our Senators support this vital bill and move it quickly on to the House and finally to President Obama's desk to be signed into law.

Please fill out the form below and let your Senators know you support the ALERT Act. Urge them to co-sponsor the bill, if they haven't already, and to move it quickly to a vote!

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(Edit Letter Below)

As your constituent and a strong advocate against breast cancer, I'm writing to express my strong support for the 21st Century Cancer ALERT Act (S. 717), which has recently been introduced in the Senate.

If you are already co-sponsor, thank you. If you haven't yet become a co-sponsor, I ask you to please do so.

This important bill represents a bipartisan effort between the late Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), with the support of Susan G. Komen for the Cure (R) Advocacy Alliance and other cancer groups, to reignite America's "war on cancer" by:

* Placing an emphasis on early detection and promoting the discovery and development of biomarkers to detect cancers at the earliest possible stage when cancer is most treatable. The bill also has a particular focus on childhood, rare and high-mortality cancers.

* Strengthening the cancer research process by promoting public-private partnerships and collaboration between government agencies. The bill also has a focus on translational research so new discoveries and breakthroughs in the laboratory make their way to patients' bedsides as quickly as possible.

* Improving access to cancer care for underserved populations by expanding access to clinical trials, patient navigation services, and screening and treatment for colorectal cancer.

In 1971, the United States declared war on cancer. Despite momentous strides and life-saving advances since then, the fundamental goal of the war - to diminish death and suffering from cancer - has not been realized. Forty percent of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives; 1.4 million new cases will be diagnosed this year alone. Cancer will claim more than 565,000 American lives this year - about 1,500 people a day. And the disease inflicts incalculable physical pain and emotional distress on cancer patients and their families. The U.S. must reinvigorate the war on cancer - we must energize science and remove the barriers to discovering and delivering the cures for cancer.

The Kennedy-Hutchison Cancer ALERT Act will do just that. The Act is a crucial opportunity to make progress in our fight to end suffering and death from cancer. Again, I urge you to co-sponsor the bill, if you haven't already, and to work with your colleagues to ensure it passes quickly through the Senate.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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