Senator James Timilty Receives Distinguished Advocacy Award for Excellence in Cancer-Fighting Public Policy
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Award is an Honor Bestowed by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
??BOSTON ??? March 15, 2016 ??? Senator James Timilty (D ??? Walpole) was awarded the Distinguished Advocacy Award, a prestigious honor bestowed by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in recognition of his commitment to protecting Massachusetts??? youth from the dangers of indoor tanning.
??The award is presented by ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, to select officials who have demonstrated leadership and commitment in the area of cancer-related public policy advocacy.
???Sen. Timilty has championed the fight against youth indoor tanning, and helped ensure important legislation that protected minors from UV radiation was signed into law,??? said Marc Hymovitz, Massachusetts government relations director for ACS CAN. ???These actions have demonstrated his commitment to fighting cancer through public policy, and we look forward to continuing to work together to save lives in the Commonwealth???.??
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with more than 2 million cases being diagnosed annually. Avoiding exposure to ultraviolet radiation is the most effective way to prevent skin cancer. This is especially true for kids.
Young people under the age of 18 are at a particularly high risk for the damages associated with UV radiation and exposure, since their skin is not fully developed and their skin cells are dividing and changing more rapidly than those of adults. In fact, indoor tanning use before the age of 35 increases melanoma risk by 59 percent.
?????I will forever be thankful to the folks at the American Cancer Society???s Cancer Action Network for their tireless effort in getting this bill passed into law,??? said Sen. Timilty. ???What in 2005 seemed like a no-brainer to a freshman Senator has turned into an over 10-year battle with those who profit by exposing our young people to a known carcinogen. Over the years many have joined the fight in getting this bill passed but the vast ACS CAN statewide net is both a strong force for advocacy and a blunt reminder of how prevalent cancer is and how it has impacted us all.???
???The research is clear ??? tanning devices cause cancer. By championing this bill to protect our kids from the UV radiation emitted by these devices, Sen. Timilty has done a great service in preventing future skin cancer diagnoses and saving lives,??? said Hymovitz.
The award was presented to Sen. Timilty at the annual ACS CAN Day at the Capitol, which brought more than 100 cancer survivors and advocates to Beacon Hill to urge lawmakers to make cancer a priority. This year, advocates met with legislators to ask their support of a bill that would protect Massachusetts??? youth from the dangers of tobacco and e-cigarettes. ??????
ACS CAN is the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate organization of the American Cancer Society, dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage lawmakers, candidates and government officials to support laws and policies that will make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer. For more information, visit
I still like Jim Timilty…. but his vote on the so-called “bathroom bill” is a sharp disappointment.