Honoring survivors, remembering loved ones, advancing hope

Every June, Gilda’s Club South Florida celebrates National Cancer Survivors Month by honoring those who are living with cancer, beyond cancer and because cancer was found in time to make a difference.

We celebrate survivors who are building meaningful lives after a diagnosis, and we remember those we have lost. Their experiences remind us what is at stake and strengthen our commitment to a future with better outcomes for everyone affected by this disease.

One truth stands out across every experience with cancer: Timing matters. When cancer is found early, treatment can begin sooner, options are often greater, and outcomes can improve significantly.

That is why advances in early detection are generating so much excitement. Multi-cancer early detection tests can detect signals associated with multiple cancers through a single blood draw, including many cancers that currently lack recommended screening options. By helping identify cancer before symptoms appear and before treatment options become more limited, these tests have the potential to change outcomes for countless patients and families.

Recognizing that promise, Congress passed the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act with strong bipartisan support, including from the majority of Florida’s congressional delegation. President Donald Trump signed it into law earlier this year. The law creates a pathway to Medicare coverage for MCED tests once they receive FDA approval, helping ensure seniors can benefit from these innovations without unnecessary delay.

But progress on paper must translate into impact on people’s lives. Earlier detection, access to care and emotional support all play a role in changing outcomes. Without them, too many families will continue to face unnecessary loss.

As we recognize survivors this month, we also honor those whose lives were cut short by continuing to support progress and advances in cancer care, so more people have the chance to celebrate survivorship for years to come.

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Kim Praitano serves as president and CEO of Gilda’s Club South Florida.