Cancer survivor visits Washington to represent state

Making cancer a top priority is something one Clovis native has dedicated much of his time and effort into.

George Barber, 54, recently returned from a trip to Washington, D.C., to represent the state at the annual American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Leadership Summit and Lobby Day.

"We were just there to remind them the need for these bills for cancer in general, whatever cancer," Barber said.

A survivor of colon cancer for 14 years, Barber said he and four other volunteers who joined him in D.C. are finally starting to see the results of their hard work.

"We got the message that the House had just passed two of the bills we were looking for them to co-sponsor, and that it was just sent to the Senate," Barber said.

According to a press release from the American Cancer Society, Barber asked lawmakers to support a bill that would waive out-of-pocket costs for individuals with the highest risk of prostate cancer.

"Additionally, lawmakers were asked to support legislation to create a pathway for Medicare to cover new multi-cancer early detection tests once they are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and proven effective," the press release stated.

This is one of the bills Barber said he is most proud of, because the blood test can detect 50 different types of cancer.

Barber said he has dealt with cancer in various ways. Not just within himself, but in his mother-in-law, who was able to fight and survive lung cancer.

"When she finally rang the bell (signifying she was cancer-free), the day after is when I was diagnosed with my colon cancer," he said.

Barber said he had an 18-inch tumor, but it was caught in time for him to have surgery to remove it. He went through remission, and the cancer has not returned.

"Colon cancer is the easiest cancer to get rid of, with early detection," Barber said. "That early detection test is going to save a lot of people."

Barber said that where we are in today's fight against cancer just keeps getting better and better, especially with early detection.

"It is hard to fight when it's stage three and stage four. I lost my brother to stage four kidney cancer," Barber said.

"Lawmakers need to know that volunteers from New Mexico, and from every state across the country, are counting on them to take a stand."