Less Cancer board and presenters at the annual workshop in Washington, D.C.

We’re living in a fascinating moment in history, with political noise affecting public health in ways that can feel overwhelming. Some of it may sound outlandish, but that’s not our focus here. Instead, we’re committed to forging ahead—working with the people and resources we do have, standing up for what’s right, and consistently pointing to evidence-based science.

We may not see the same public health leadership we once did, but this is our time to explore new ways of communicating and collaborating—even with unlikely partners or those who hold opposing views. Our shared goal remains clear: reducing the burden of cancer on individuals, families, and communities.

I am proud of the work accomplished through the National Cancer Prevention Workshop, the United States Bipartisan Cancer Prevention Caucus, and National Cancer Prevention Day—all initiatives founded by Less Cancer that have truly changed the landscape of cancer.

Of course, the phrase “Make America Healthy Again” came up in our discussions. I originally used it in an open letter to Betsy DeVos in The Huffington Post in 2017, where I framed education as an opportunity to reverse the trend of increasingly sicker children by prioritizing health through evidence-based learning and policy. Since then, the phrase has been co-opted in ways that deviate from its intended meaning. Let me be absolutely clear: we cannot make America healthy again without science. We must rely on evidence-based approaches. If federal support is lacking, we must look to state and local governments, as well as nonprofit organizations like Less Cancer, to fill in the gaps.

Our commitment is unwavering: Less Cancer for all. Less Cancer for everyone. We understand the challenges and complexities of this work, but we are compelled to stay focused on solutions and continue moving forward.

I want to express my gratitude to the many legislators who have sent messages, spoken out, or recorded videos in support of Less Cancer’s work and cancer prevention. In particular, I thank the leadership of the Caucus—Representatives Debbie Dingell and John James of Michigan—for helping lead this essential work in preventing cancer and promoting public health. Soon, we will have the edited version of the workshop online for everyone to see—many thanks to Michigan State University, continuing medical education.

– Bill Couzens