NASCAR’s Martin Truex Jr.’s girlfriend Sherry Pollex goes to Capitol Hill to advocate for affordable therapy costs, ovarian cancer research funding
Pollex, Ovarian Cancer National Alliance support Cancer Treatment Parity Act, to ensure affordable out-of-pocket costs for cancer therapy
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today Sherry Pollex, girlfriend to NASCAR’s Martin Truex Jr. and longtime champion of pediatric cancer fundraising through the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation, will be on Capitol Hill. Pollex, who was diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian cancer 11 months ago, will meet with members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on behalf of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. Pollex will advocate for affordable out-of-pocket cancer therapy costs and full federal funding of ovarian cancer research and education programs at the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“I am both excited and honored to have been asked to partner with the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and go to Washington to meet with legislators to discuss the much needed additional funding for ovarian cancer,” said Pollex.
Pollex will also advocate on behalf of a bill called the Cancer Drug Coverage Parity Act, which would ensure women have access to affordable oral chemotherapy treatments. Currently, oral chemotherapy treatments, unlike traditional intravenous drugs, are not always covered by insurance companies and many patients are responsible for extremely high and unmanageable co-pays.
“We will also be there to advocate for policies that ensure women have access to the newest personalized treatments for cancer,” said Pollex. “There are new drugs available for ovarian cancer but for many women, they are not affordable even with insurance coverage. We need to change that and make sure that everyone has access to the breakthrough treatments to fight this disease.”
Pollex, who is the girlfriend to NASCAR star driver Martin Truex Jr. of the Furniture Row Racing team, will be accompanied to Capitol Hill by three members of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance team: Calaneet Balas, CEO; Jeremy Scott, policy counsel; and Lisa Mauti, vice president of cause marketing.
“Having the voice of a survivor and a well-known public figure helps to advance ovarian cancer on the federal policy agenda and bring a face to this devastating disease. Sherry is a wonderful advocate for ovarian cancer and we’re excited that she could join us for a day of advocacy for ovarian cancer,” said Ovarian Cancer National Alliance CEO Calaneet Balas.
About Sherry Pollex
A native of Michigan and a Florida State University alumna, Sherry Pollex grew up in a motorsports family. She and her boyfriend Martin Truex Jr., a star driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, created the Martin Truex Jr. (MTJ) Foundation in 2007 with primary emphasis on raising funds for pediatric cancer research and treatment. Pollex conceived the MTJ Foundation’s biggest fundraiser — Catwalk for a Cause — in 2009. The annual event is highlighted with children in cancer treatment, walking the runway with NASCAR drivers and their wives/girlfriends. More than 600 guests attended the 2015 event, raising more than $300,000 for the Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte. Pollex is also a successful businesswoman. Since 2007 she has owned Lavendar Boutique in Mooresville, N.C.
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The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA) is a powerful voice for everyone touched by ovarian cancer, connecting survivors, women at risk, caregivers and health providers with the information and resources they need. OCNA ensures that ovarian cancer is a priority for lawmakers and agencies in Washington, D.C., and throughout the country. OCNA works with the community to raise their voices on behalf of every life affected by this disease.
