No matter where you look today, you are bombarded with comments regarding our recent election. I would like to turn all that passion towards a common goal — defeating cancer! At this time lawmakers are anxious to complete their work by early December and start fresh next year. That means we only have a month to urge Congress to increase funding for cancer research at the National Cancer Institute before they leave Washington, D.C.

We’ve all heard that we’re one degree away from cancer. I myself am a cancer survivor, as well as my mother and sister. I’m saddened that I have lost relatives and close friends to this mentally distressing and physically arduous disease. Imagine being told you only have months to live. I have a friend who was told this last month. She is fighting to live using any drug that might help her, hoping that something new will be discovered so that she can see her young grandson grow up.

As a volunteer with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), I am focused on the critical first step of convincing Congress to pass the 21st Century Cures bill, which allows for a major funding increase for cancer research and supports the National Cancer Moonshot.

Please send Sen. Patty Murray a message right now because we need everyone’s support on this lifesaving legislation. She can be reached at www.murray.senate.gov/public/

No one knows if we’ll have this opportunity again next year. That means we must do everything we can to secure this funding for cancer patients and their families before it’s too late.

Let us be the generation to make cancer history. Now is the time to act!

Linda Allasia

Redmond