Prevent Cancer Foundation's Congressional Families Program celebrates bipartisan effort in the fight against cancer
POUR DIFFUSION IMMÉDIATE
Kyra Meister
703-836-1746
kyra.meister@preventcancer.org
Washington, D.C. – The Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Familles du Congrès® Programme hosted a bipartisan Capitol Hill reception on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, which brought together members of Congress and their spouses alongside national leaders in cancer prevention, early detection and research. The invitation-only event, held in recognition of Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month, underscored the critical role of research in reducing cancer deaths across the United States.
The event recognized Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center with the Carolyn “Bo” Aldigé Visionary Award. Founded in 1898, Roswell Park was the world’s first institution dedicated exclusively to cancer research and, in 1972, became one of the nation’s first three National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Roswell Park has previously received a Prevent Cancer Foundation® community grant and research fellowship.
“One of the things that makes Roswell Park stand out is that we are always thinking big-picture,” said Candace Johnson, Ph.D., President, CEO and M&T Bank Presidential Chair in Leadership of Roswell Park. “From our earliest days to today, our teams look at cancer from every angle, from prevention through survivorship, from chemotherapy to treatments that enhance a patient’s own cells to fight cancer better. We are deeply comprehensive in our approach, and that makes a difference in our services, our outreach and our cancer care. We are honored to accept this recognition of the dedicated team at Roswell Park.”
The award was presented to Dr. Johnson, by Katie Kennedy, spouse of Rep. Tim Kennedy (N.Y.). Established in 2023, the Visionary Award is named in honor of Prevent Cancer Foundation founder Carolyn “Bo” Aldigé and recognizes institutions and individuals whose work is shaping the future of cancer prevention and early detection.
“We are honored to convene bipartisan congressional leaders alongside cancer prevention and early detection advocates to underscore the essential role of cancer research in the United States,” said Lisa McGovern, executive director of the Congressional Families Program. “Institutions like Roswell Park are driving the breakthroughs that will bring us closer to a world where no one dies of cancer. We are proud to recognize Dr. Johnson and the entire Roswell Park team for their leadership, innovation and unwavering commitment to saving lives.”
The evening also included remarks from Jody Hoyos, CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation, and Martha McKenzie Hill, spouse of Rep. French Hill (Ark.), who will discuss ongoing efforts to achieve NCI Designation at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Center.
The Foundation recognizes April as Mois de la prévention et de la détection précoce du cancer, a collaborative effort supported by nearly 80 organizations. Every April, the Foundation rallies advocates, partners, health care professionals and organizations to promote routine cancer screenings for better health outcomes.
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À propos des familles du Congrès® Programme
The Congressional Families® Program is a bipartisan initiative led by congressional spouses to increase the public’s understanding of cancer prevention and early detection. The United States Senate, House of Representatives and their families are invited to work within their respective constituencies—and nationwide—to raise awareness and reduce risk for these diseases.
When the Congressional Families Program launched in 1991 as a partnership between the Prevent Cancer Foundation and The Congressional Club, initial efforts focused on breast cancer. The Program’s first five years’ success led to the expansion of its scope to include colorectal, liver, lung, oral, prostate, skin, testicular and cervical cancers, and HPV-related cancers. The Program offers participants educational seminars, talking points, op-eds, letters to the editor, speeches, videos, program ideas and many more tools to use in their districts and beyond. With these tools, the Congressional Families Program takes the message of cancer prevention and early detection into communities across the U.S.
Pour plus d'informations, s'il vous plaît visitez www.congressionalfamilies.org.
À propos de la Fondation Prévenir le Cancer®
La Fondation Prévenir le Cancer® is the only U.S.-based nonprofit organization solely dedicated to cancer prevention and early detection. Through research, education, outreach and advocacy, we have helped countless people avoid a cancer diagnosis or detect their cancer early enough to be successfully treated. We are driven by a vision of a world where cancer is preventable, detectable and beatable for all.
La Fondation se mobilise pour relever le défi de réduire les décès par cancer de 40% d'ici 2035. Pour y parvenir, nous nous engageons à investir $20 millions dans des technologies innovantes pour détecter le cancer à un stade précoce et faire progresser le dépistage multi-cancer, $10 millions pour étendre le dépistage du cancer et la vaccination. l'accès à des communautés médicalement mal desservies et $10 millions pour informer le public sur les options de dépistage et de vaccination.
Pour plus d'informations, s'il vous plaît visitez www.preventcancer.org.