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Behind every patient is a family, a story, and a community. No one should face cancer alone or in the dark. Knowledge is power. Together, we can make the cancer journey less lonely.
News
Another Blow
April 4, 2026
The FY2027 budget proposal released by the White House calls for a $5.787 billion cut to NIH research funding. That's a 12.3% reduction from FY2026 levels. For an agency that has seen steady funding growth for decades, this would be a historic reversal. This money is critical to funding biomedical treatments and disease detection tools that could save or extend millions of lives. Research decades in the making would be shuttered before making a breakthrough.
But science is not partisan. And this announcement is not final. We have until October 1, 2026, to convince Congress that more NIH funding is absolutely necessary. So, send emails, call, and write to your Congressmembers to let them know we, the people, care. Make your voice heard.
New Hope for Lung Cancer Patients
March 17, 2026
I’m honored to share that my paper on a promising combination therapy for lung cancer patients has been published!
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and while immunotherapy has helped many patients, current treatments still don't work for most people diagnosed with the disease. Researchers are actively looking for ways to make immunotherapy more effective. This study investigates whether combining a KRAS-targeted vaccine and a small-molecule immune checkpoint inhibitor, CA170 targeting PD-L1 and VISTA, can improve the antitumor immune response in lung cancer. The findings unequivocally say yes, it can.
Read the full study here.
We Lost This One
March 11, 2026
For 10 months, we fought to renew the healthcare tax credits, emailing, calling, and meeting with Congressmen and Congresswomen. Unfortunately, we fell short, and the credits will not be renewed. However, our efforts are not lost. They will carry over in our momentum in 2026, where we will continue to push for lower cancer care costs.
News Coverage - "Life experience prompts advocacy"
March 6, 2026
YouEmpowered featured in Fairfax County Times for making cancer care accessible to all.
Congress passed a new bill to fund cancer research!
February 4, 2026
On February 3, 2026, Congress passed the most impactful cancer-fighting bill: protecting research funding and rejecting the 38% cuts that threatened to devastate cancer research.
When the Administration first proposed massive cuts to cancer research funding in the President’s Budget last February, we responded immediately, urging lawmakers to reject cuts and invest in cancer research. And when one final push was needed to get the Senate across the finish line, we showed up again, making phone calls, and taking to social media.
After 10 months of fighting, we won! They heard us, and they did.
Now, cancer patients will have access to more and better options for preventing, treating, and one day curing this disease.
New AI-Powered Tool Oncura Launched to Help Patients Navigate Cancer Care
January 25, 2026
YouEmpowered is proud to announce the birth of Oncura. This innovative AI-assisted platform is designed to alleviate the "navigation overload" that follows a cancer diagnosis and to streamline communication between patients and oncologists.
Today, we are honored to hand-deliver 700+ Virginians' petition signatures to protect cancer research funding to Senator Mark Warner's office.
December 8, 2025
Thank you to the wonderful staff representing Senator Mark Warner for speaking with volunteers from the Virginia American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) today about the critical need to #ProtectCancerCures. We delivered the signatures of hundreds of Virginians supporting the petition to protect the infrastructure needed to continue making the advances we must as we search for new treatments and cures. As the petition notes, “Cuts to research funding, workforce reductions, and spending freezes all jeopardize progress in the fight against cancer. The president’s budget proposal calls for devastating cuts to research funding and completely eliminates programs that help detect cancer early. But we can’t go back. Cuts have consequences.” Thank you, Senator Warner, for championing lifesaving cancer research funding.
Congressman Donald Beyer, JR
October 16, 2025
Congressman Beyer personally responded to me regarding my thoughts and concerns about skyrocketing health care costs for millions of Americans without an extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credit as a result of the government shutdown.
U.S. Senator Mark Warner on Affordable Care Act Health Coverage Impact from "Big Beautiful Bill"
September 15, 2025
Senator Warner personally responded to my message expressing concerns regarding premium tax credits.
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine on Budget Legislation impacting Medicaid
June 17, 2025
Senator Kaine personally responded to my message regarding budget reconciliation and Medicaid protection for millions of cancer patients. He will continue to fight to protect Medicaid.