I Have Cancer. And I Can't Imagine Losing My Healthcare.

When I was 19 years old and a sophomore in college, I was diagnosed with lung cancer. My family and I were completely shocked. I had a wonderful boyfriend, great friends—and I was loving life.

Now, I'm 24, and I'm still battling this awful disease.

I can't imagine anyone going through a battle like mine without good healthcare. But right now, our senators in Washington are set to vote on a bill that would cause millions of people to lose their coverage.

On June 9, I spoke at a hearing and told my Senator why everyone needs quality and affordable healthcare. Today, I've joined the American Lung Association to spread the same message — I'm asking you to join me in urging our Senators to protect Americans' healthcare. They need to hear from us that this isn't right.

Healthcare advocate in turquoise jacket shaking hands with representative.

Ashley M., a lung cancer advocate, meets with her representative to urge him to help protect the more than 32 million Americans living with lung disease.

How did I find out I had cancer? I had no symptoms of illness—instead, I sneezed and pulled a muscle in my back.

So I went to my college health services office to have my muscle pull checked out, and the doctor decided I needed an X-ray to be safe. The next thing I knew, the doctor was telling me I had an unusual "dark spot" on the upper right lobe of my lung. It was lung cancer. I had surgery to remove a tumor the size of a golf ball.

That's the scary thing about lung cancer. It can go virtually unnoticed without any symptoms which is why early detection and affordable, quality healthcare is vital to all Americans and everyone impacted by lung disease.

And right now, healthcare coverage for people with lung disease is on the line. The House has already voted on a bill that would cause 23 million children and adults to lose their healthcare. The Senate is getting ready to join them. But if we come together, we can stop this. The time is now to stand up for quality and affordable healthcare for all Americans.

Will you stand with me to protect healthcare for all Americans, especially those impacted by lung cancer and other lung diseases?

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