Dr. Jill Biden addressed cancer survivorship summit at Nova Southeastern University
DAVIE - First Lady Dr. Jill Bill Biden delivered the keynote address at a cancer survivorship summit at Nova Southeast University on Monday.
President Joe Biden has made it his "moonshot" goal to end cancer as we know it.
"Our White House initiative to build a world where cancer is not a death sentence. Where we stop cancer before it starts. Where we invest in innovative research and help patients and families navigate this journey," she said. "Where we catch it early and help people live longer, healthier, happier lives."
Dr. Biden spoke about what is happening now and the future leading up to a cure.
"Joe has expanded the number of patient navigation grants and he worked with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to propose a new rule that, when finalized next month, will allow Medicare to pay for patient navigation services. We're also working with the private sector to bring these services to more people in more places. And Joe's putting American innovation to work to help patients get better treatments and better cures" she said.
US Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz hosted the summit which focused on gaps in survivorship care, discussion on policy proposals, and national and Florida community-based resources.
Both women have had their lives touched by cancer. Wasserman Schultz is a breast cancer survivor while Dr. Biden's stepson, Beau Biden, died from brain cancer.
Also attending the summit were US Veteran Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough and tennis great, and cancer survivor, Martina Navratilova.
There are more than 18 million cancer survivors in the United States, and 26 million are expected by 2040.