Black and white photo of the US Capital Building.
People are understandably upset when programs that support health and well-being are eliminated, especially when they witness unnecessary suffering. It’s disheartening to see resources stripped away—tools designed to reduce risk, improve health, and ease suffering.
However, when this happens, it doesn’t mean everything is lost. It doesn’t mean there are no more resources or tools to continue the work. I remind myself—and others—that we are in a position to create solutions.
The American spirit is built on innovation—solving problems, building bridges, and connecting gaps. That’s who we are as a country. That’s who I am as a person. So, as we see and hear so much negativity—watching critical work undone instantly—this is not the time to be discouraged. This is the time to be creative. It’s the time to be innovative. It’s the time to reach out to unlikely partners, collaborators, and divergent thinkers.
It’s too easy to simply recognize the loss. Yes, it needs acknowledgment, and in many cases, it demands pushback. But the real challenge is coming up with solutions—especially now, when so much life-saving programming is being dismantled. Finding a path forward isn’t just necessary—it’s the hardest and most urgent work we can do.
And while the work ahead may seem overwhelming, the real impact starts in our local communities. There is so much we can do within our own footprint—right where we live—to drive meaningful change. But that’s only part of the equation. We must also connect the dots beyond our own neighborhoods, supporting other communities, families, and individuals who need help. Public health has never depended solely on one entity or structure—it has always relied on a network of committed individuals, organizations, and local efforts that step up when systems fail.
We’ve seen time and again that when doors close, people find ways to open new ones. Whether it’s grassroots initiatives tackling environmental health risks, local programs expanding access to care, or community leaders filling critical gaps where larger systems fall short, solutions are still being built.
When Less Cancer started, it was all about innovation—getting messages out, launching programs, and driving change. And we can still do that.
We all have the ability to dig deep and keep solving the problems that matter most. Cancer prevention isn’t just one initiative; it’s an umbrella of work that serves humanity, aiming to reduce suffering—not just in terms of human health but also in economic impact, life and death outcomes, and overall well-being.
But this moment demands more than just a bright light—it demands real, transformative solutions. As upsetting as these shifts are, we have to stay focused on developing programming and responses that don’t just replicate what was lost, but instead, become even stronger—better designed, more effective, and more attuned to the needs of the people we serve.
The nonprofit sector, along with local and state governments, has the power to step in and innovate. And I know that’s happening now.
We’ve seen it before—when one structure comes down, another goes up. This is our time to be building.
Next Generation Choices Foundation was founded to protect the next generation. That mission continues today—not just to shield our children from harm but to ensure they know we are fighting for them. Now more than ever, we must dig deeper to create the solutions that safeguard their future.