For over a decade, Debbie’s Dream Foundation has advocated for stomach cancer research, prevention, and early detection. What started with fewer than 50 advocates in 2014 has become a powerful movement, with nearly 150 passionate voices standing on Capitol Hill earlier this year, pushing for life-saving progress.
Our efforts have led to breakthroughs like Dr. Valerie O’Brien’s discovery of how H. pylori leads to gastric cancer, proving that advocacy and adequate funding make all the difference. By joining us for the 13th Annual Capitol Hill Advocacy Day on February 23-25, 2025, you can make your voice heard and help us continue pioneering change.
Please stand with us, fight for research, and advocate for a future where stomach cancer is a thing of the past.
DDF Asks Congressional Leadership to Finish Work on FY 2025 DoD Bill, which includes important stomach cancer research funding
On December 2, DDF joined 126 other organizations to ask Congressional leadership to finish work on the Fiscal year 2025 Defense Appropriations Act and to ensure full funding levels for
the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), which includes the Peer-Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP). While the fiscal year started on October 1, Congress has postponed a decision on funding levels for the current fiscal year until December 20 and House Speaker Johnson has indicated that he is considering further action until March. The letter highlights the issues related to delaying the CDMRP funding and the impact it will have on the life-saving research this program is meant to support.
Stomach Cancer Awareness Resolution Passes in Senate
On December 5, 2024, the U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 908 expressing support for the goals of November Stomach Cancer Awareness Month, including the “need for additional research to understand stomach cancer risk factors, as well as prevention, early detection, and treatment for stomach cancer.” The resolution was introduced on Nov. 22, 2024, by Senator Todd Young (R-IN), alongside Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Mike Braun (R-IN). DDF was proud to work with Sen. Young’s office once again on this resolution and deeply appreciates his leadership. We are particularly pleased that this year’s resolution acknowledges the troubling trends in early-onset stomach cancer, as well as disparities of stomach cancer incidence and mortality among racial and ethnic groups. DDF also made sure the resolution highlighted that the leading risk factor for stomach cancer, H. pylori, often goes undetected and untreated. Please join us in thanking Senator Young for his leadership on this issue by sending him a message on X (@SenToddYoung), Instagram (@sentoddyoung), or Facebook.
Stomach Cancer Awareness Resolution Introduced in Senate
On Nov. 22, 2024, Senator Todd Young (R-IN), alongside Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Mike Braun (R-IN), introduced a resolution that expresses support for the goals of November Stomach Cancer Awareness Month, including the “need for additional research to understand stomach cancer risk factors, as well as prevention, early detection, and treatment for stomach cancer.” DDF was proud to work with Sen. Young’s office to ensure the resolution acknowledged the troubling trends in early-onset stomach cancer, as well as disparities of stomach cancer incidence and mortality among racial and ethnic groups. DDF also made sure the resolution highlighted that the leading risk factor for stomach cancer, H. pylori, often goes undetected and untreated. DDF is working with Sen. Young’s office to secure passage of the resolution the week of December 1.
DDF Asks Congress to Pass FY 2025 Spending Bill
In November, DDF joined more than 400 organizations asking Congress to complete action on the Fiscal Year 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services spending bill. The letter highlighted that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is only able to fund approximately 1 in every 5 promising proposals, leaving potentially lifesaving science on the table, a challenge that is compounded when funding does not keep pace with inflation. The letter warned that "Underinvesting in NIH’s annual base budget is to the detriment of patients today and tomorrow, undermines the future medical research workforce, and threatens to weaken U.S. competitiveness with global adversaries.” Click below to read the letter.
President Biden's Message of Support for Stomach Cancer Awareness Month
November 1, 2024 - Debbie’s Dream Foundation is honored to share a message from President Joe Biden, who has extended his support for Stomach Cancer Awareness Month this November. In his letter, the President reflects on the personal impact of cancer and reaffirms his administration’s commitment to ending cancer as we know it through initiatives like the Cancer Moonshot and the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). Join us in this mission to raise awareness and make progress in the prevention, detection, and treatment of stomach cancer.. Click below to read the letter.
DDF Rallies Stomach Cancer Community to Support H. Pylori Testing
Fourteen organizations joined DDF on a letter sent on October 18 to leaders of the Senate and House Armed Services Committee in support of language requiring the Department of Defense to issue a report on a plan for H. Pylori testing for certain military service members. Passage of the language would be a major milestone in legislative action aimed at preventing stomach cancer. Click below to read the letter.
DDF Lends Support to the Safe Step Act
On October 15, DDF and more than 200 other organizations sent a letter to Congress asking for passage of the “Safe Step Act” before the end of this year. The “Safe Step Act” would create common-sense exceptions to step therapy (or fail-first) protocols used by insurance companies that delay patient access to the treatment prescribed by their physician. For example, under the legislation, an insurance company could not force a patient to fail first on the insurer-preferred therapy if it is contraindicated for the patient. Click below to read the letter.
DDF Leads Request to White House for Stomach Cancer Proclamation
DDF, joined by 17 other organizations, sent a letter on October 1 to President Biden requesting a White House proclamation declaring November National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month. The letter also requested lighting the White House periwinkle as part of the “The Power of Periwinkle” global illumination campaign. Click below to read the letter.
DDF Joins Organizations in Request to EviCore on Genetic Testing
On August 15, 2024, DDF joined 26 organizations in a letter to EviCore — a laboratory benefit manager — asking the company to revise its coverage policy for genetic cancer testing. EviCore’s genetic testing policy for hereditary cancer (or cancer susceptibility) aligns with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, except for its stringent interpretation of the “most informative family member” recommendation. Overly burdensome coverage requirements impede the diagnosis of hereditary cancer mutations in patients and their family members. Click below to read the letter.
DDF Endorses Stomach Cancer Bill
Debbie’s Dream Foundation gave full support to a new bill in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced by Reps. Yadira Caraveo (D-CO) and Joe Wilson (R-SC) that calls on the National Cancer Institute to issue a review and report on, among other things, screening guidelines for individuals at high-risk for stomach cancer.
“Through research, awareness, and an unwavering commitment from diverse stakeholders, we can end stomach cancer as we know it today,” said Andrea Eidelman, Chief Executive Officer of Debbie’s Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer (DDF). “We applaud Rep. Joe Wilson and Rep. Yadira Caraveo for their leadership to advance this vision."
DDF Applauds H. Pylori Language in Senate NDAA
Debbie’s Dream Foundation sent a letter to Senate Armed Services Committee leaders in support of language in the Senate Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act requiring the Department of Defense to issue a report on a plan for H. pylori testing for certain members of the Armed Services. The inclusion of the language follows a DDF request to congressional lawmakers earlier this year to mandate an H. pylori testing and treatment program for at-risk military service members. Click the button below to read DDF’s support letter.
Record Number of Lawmakers Sign Stomach Cancer Letter
This year, DDF advocates secured 111 House and 20 Senate lawmakers on letters to the Appropriations Committees requesting that stomach cancer remain eligible for research funding under the Department of Defense’s Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) for Fiscal Year 2025. The letters were led by Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL), Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), and Sen. Maize Hirono (D-HI).
Click the buttons below to read the Senate and House letters.
About Our 12th Annual Stomach Cancer Capitol Hill Advocacy Day
Our 12th Annual Stomach Cancer Capitol Hill Advocacy Day was a HUGE success! As we fondly look back on the incredible moments of the three-day event (February 5-7, 2024), we want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who made this event a resounding success! Advocates, sponsors, and supporters joined forces, creating an unstoppable force for stomach cancer awareness.
Advocacy at It's Finest: Over 149 passionate advocates gathered in Washington, D.C., for three days of impactful meetings, sharing stories and advocating for crucial funding and awareness. Their dedication and resilience shone brightly, even in the face of the heartbreaking news of country music legend Toby Keith's passing from stomach cancer.
Honoring Congressional Champions: A heartfelt salute to our Congressional Champions, The Honorable Angie Craig of Minnesota and The Honorable Joe Wilson of South Carolina. Their unwavering support in Congress has significantly contributed to the fight against stomach cancer.
Advocacy Asks: Advocates passionately championed key asks for FY'24, urging Congress to pass the budget, emphasizing the need to Keep stomach Cancer on the PRPCP list for FY'25, and advocating for a funding increase in FY'25 for the NIH/NCI. Patient
Advocate Retreat: The 2nd Annual Patient Advocate Retreat featured informative sessions by experts in integrative medicine, nutrition, and art therapy. A special thank you to Dr. Michael Cusnir (Medical Oncologist), Mary-Eve Brown (Clinical Oncology Dietician Specialist), Emily Lipson (Art Therapist), and Emmy-nominated Chef Nathan Lyon, who teamed up with Mary-Eve Brown for an in-person cooking demo, adding a delicious and informative touch to the experience.
We extend heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors who made this event possible:
Advocacy Day Silver Sponsors: Merck & Co., Inc. and Amgen
2nd Annual Advocate Retreat Gold Sponsors: Astellas and Merck 2nd Annual Advocate Retreat Silver Sponsors: Amgen and Jazz Pharmaceuticals
2nd Annual Advocate Retreat Bronze Sponsor: Taiho Oncology 2nd Annual Advocate Retreat Advocacy Sponsor: No Stomach for Cancer
2nd Annual Advocate Retreat Supporting Sponsor: Wild Birds Unlimited
Your unwavering support propels us forward in our mission to find a cure for stomach cancer.
Together, we are making a difference!
Contact us to be a sponsor, volunteer, attend, and for more information at (954) 475-1200 or Events@DebbiesDream.org
Advocate for Stomach Cancer Patients
Advocacy - Lend Your Voice to the Fight
Most people don't know that the majority of cancer research is paid for by the federal government and that your U.S. Senators and Representatives get to decide how much is spent each year on cancer research. The decisions the federal government makes about spending levels are the biggest determinant of how much stomach cancer research is done in any given year.
Now that you know these important facts, get involved by telling Congress exactly what you think about the importance of stomach cancer research. Keep reading to learn how you can accomplish this important step toward helping all stomach cancer patients.
Advocate For Increased Federal Funding For Research
You can help get increased federal funding for stomach cancer research by contacting your elected officials. We at Debbie's Dream Foundation are bringing attention to the lack of research funding for stomach cancer and to raise awareness about the disease. Be the voice for stomach cancer patients who can't speak for themselves!
2014 Stomach Cancer Capitol Hill Advocacy Day
Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer held the second Stomach Cancer Capitol Hill Advocacy Day in February 2014. Fifty seven advocates from sixteen states and Canada attended over seventy meetings on the hill which educated legislators about the need for stomach cancer to be a higher funding priority.
2013 Stomach Cancer Capitol Hill Advocacy Day
Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer held the first ever Stomach Cancer Capitol Hill Advocacy Day in May 2013. Thirty advocates from sixteen states and Canada attended 61 meetings on the hill which educated legislators about stomach cancer and resulted in a letter from 39 Representatives in the US House and a letter from 5 US Senators to the National Cancer Institute urging that stomach cancer be a higher funding priority.
Contact Your Local Officials
In order to let your elected official know how you feel about increasing funding for stomach cancer research, contact us and we will tell you who your elected official is and provide you with their contact information and sample letters and emails so you can communicate your opinions to them. You can call us at (954) 475-1200 (954) 475-1200 or email your inquiries to Admin@DebbiesDream.org. Alternatively, you can visit the link below to find out who are your elected officials.
http://contactingthecongress.org/
http://bebusinessed.com/congress-fax-numbers
Government Affairs & Advocacy Contact Information
Debbie's Dream Foundation
Government Affairs & Advocacy Office
Two South University Drive, Suite 326
Plantation, FL 33324
Toll Free Office: (855) 475-1200(855) 475-1200 FREE
Toll Free Fax: (855) 475-1201
For questions about ways to get involved or for more information, please e-mail us at Events@DebbiesDream.org.
Connecting with Your Officials on Social Media
Its important to connect with your officials on social media. Click on the links below to see the social media accounts for your Senators and United States House of Representative:
http://govsm.com/w/House - United States House of Representatives list
http://govsm.com/w/Senate - Senate list
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.
- Henry David Thoreau