First Posted: 9/19/2014

Being a kid hasn’t deterred Camera For A Cure creator Timmy Walsh from being a strong force in the lung cancer advocacy world. Walsh has been advocating for lung cancer since he was in kindergarten. Now a sixth-grade student at Wyoming Seminary, his passion is even greater.

Walsh, along with other advocates and some Pennsylvania residents, took to Capitol Hill this week to advocate for lung cancer. Attending the Lung Cancer Alliance Sixth National Lung Cancer Survivor Summit in Washington, DC, he had the opportunity to hear lectures by Dr. Fred Grannis, Clinical Professor of Thoracic Surgery at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, CA; Dr. Douglas Lowy, Deputy Director of the National Cancer Institute; and Greta Kreuz, lung cancer survivor and news reporter for ABC7 out of Washington, DC.

The summit leaders also held a Shine A Light awareness vigil outside of the White House with the advocates visiting from through out the country.

Walsh told his story of how he became an advocate and spouted off facts and figures relating to lung cancer. Asking for fair allocation of funds and more funding for lung cancer, the advocates asked that the legislators study reports on lung cancer and learn the facts.

With not all moments being serious and full of facts, the advocates were able to sample many treats in the offices, including Hershey candies and Doritos. While meeting with legislators and their staffs, the Pennsylvania group had the opportunity to meet Congressman Lou Barletta’s staff and his dog, Reilly. While discussing lung cancer facts, Reilly barked in agreeance and wagged his tail profusely before being escorted out of the meeting.

There is a Lung Cancer Alliance Pennsylvania Chapter located in Scranton. Chaired by Dr. Karen Arscott, the PA chapter meets monthly and offers a Lung Cancer Support Group through the Center For Comprehensive Cancer Care through Delta Medix, located at 5 Morgan Highway, Scranton. Anyone wanting information on the support group can contact Cheri at 570-558-7400.

This is Walsh’s third trip to Washington, DC to advocate on Capitol Hill for lung cancer. He attended a Lung Cancer Alliance event in April 2012 and was invited by screening advocacy group out of Washington DC, Right Scan Right Time, in November 2013.