Utahn taking part in LiveStrong Day

On May 16 Salt Lake resident and prostate cancer survivor/advocate Kermit Heid will join the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) in Washington, D.C., on Capitol Hill to demand that our nation's leaders invest in resources, treatment and services for people affected by cancer.

The LAF selected Heid as one of 200 advocates to participate in LiveStrong Day, the LAF's grass-roots advocacy initiative to unite people affected by cancer and raise awareness about cancer issues.

"I am honored to join the LAF for LiveStrong Day and look forward to the opportunity to talk with my members of Congress about supporting legislation that expands access to screening, treatment, and care and to emphasize the importance of making cancer a national priority," said Heid. "Participating in LIVESTRONG Day is important to me because my diagnosis and treatment led me to learn about the terrible financial and emotional burden cancer places on this country and its citizens."

After his diagnosis and treatment, Heid vowed to become more involved in the fight against cancer. Today he is a member of Utah's Cancer Control Initiative (UCAN) and the National Cancer Institutes Consumer Advocates for Research and Related Activities (CARRA). In addition, he is the treasurer for the National Alliance of State Prostate Cancer Coalitions and the state policy liaison for the National Patient Advocate Foundation.

During his participation in the LAF LiveStrong Day, Heid hopes to meet with Utah's congressional delegation to emphasize the need to invest in resources, treatment and services for people affected by cancer. There will also be opportunities to network with the other delegates and LAF staff members to compare efforts and "best practices" that are taking place to educate the public about prevention, screening, research and quality of life for those affected by cancer.

In addition to the LAF's efforts in Washington, approximately 200 LiveStrong Day events will be held across the country to engage communities with experiences that increase awareness and show support for cancer survivors and their loved ones.

The Lance Armstrong Foundation, based in Austin, Texas, unites people to fight cancer. The LAF believes that unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything. The LAF provides the practical information and tools people battling cancer need to live life on their own terms.

The LAF also takes aim at the gaps between what is known and what is done to prevent cancer deaths and suffering. It was founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong. To learn more, visit livestrong.org.