Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) Adds His Name As Co-Sponsor to the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act of 2009

Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) Adds His Name As Co-Sponsor to the Lung
Cancer Mortality Reduction Act of 2009

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Lung Cancer Alliance
(LCA) praised Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) for his endorsement of the Lung
Cancer Mortality Reduction Act of 2009. Thompson joins Representatives
Michael Honda (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) in
strengthening California's Congressional support for this critically needed
legislation.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081016/LCALOGO)

The Senate version of the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act of 2009 was
first introduced in the Senate by California Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
and Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) with Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) as an
original co-sponsor.

"Lung cancer affects millions of men and women everyday and we must do
everything we can to combat this deadly disease" said Thompson. "This
legislation sets up a comprehensive program intended to drive lung cancer
research forward and find innovative new methods of diagnosis and treatment."

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death both nationally and in
California. This year alone it will take the lives of more Californians than
breast, prostate and colon cancers -- combined.

"This bill addresses the critical need for increased research funding for the
most stigmatized and ignored cancer, lung cancer," said LCA-California
Co-chair, Gloria Hovde. "We applaud Congressman Thompson for recognizing the
importance of this legislation making lung cancer a national public health
priority."

Introduced in the House by Representatives Donna Christensen (D-VI) and Frank
LoBiondo (R-NJ), the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act of 2009 is the first
ever federal legislation requiring the Secretaries of Health and Human
Services, Defense and Veterans Affairs to combine forces on a comprehensive,
coordinated plan of action to reduce lung cancer mortality by 50% by 2015.

In addition, LCMRA directs the Secretaries of Department of Defense (DOD) and
Veterans' Affairs (VA) to implement an early detection and disease management
program for military personnel who are at high risk for lung cancer because of
smoking or exposure to carcinogens during active duty.

The legislation also:

-- Authorizes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to create a new Lung
Cancer Mortality Reduction drug program with incentives for new
treatments, targeted therapies, vaccines and chemoprevention drugs for
precancerous conditions.
-- Requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to carry out
an
early disease research program targeted at the high incidence and
mortality rates among minority and low-income populations.

-- Includes specific authorizations of $75,000,000 for certain NIH
agencies
in FY10 and authorizes such additional sums as may be necessary for
all
the cited agencies to accomplish the goal for FY 2010 through FY2014.

Lung Cancer Alliance (www.lungcanceralliance.org) is the only national
non-profit organization solely dedicated to patient support and advocacy for
the lung cancer community. LCA's mission is to lead the movement to reverse
decades of stigma and neglect by empowering those with or at risk for the
disease, elevating awareness and changing health policy.

CONTACT: Gloria Hovde of Lung Cancer Alliance, +1-707-995-0149,
ghovde@lungcanceralliance.org

SOURCE Lung Cancer Alliance

Gloria Hovde of Lung Cancer Alliance, +1-707-995-0149,
ghovde@lungcanceralliance.org