All across the country, impassioned cancer survivors, researchers, and advocates are making their voices heard in Washington, DC at the Celebration on the Hill.

The 2-day event taking place September 19 and 20 is sponsored by the American Cancer Society's sister advocacy organization, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). It brings some 4,000 "Celebration Ambassadors" -- representing every congressional district in the country -- and thousands of other advocates to Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Their mission: to tell lawmakers about the importance of adequate funding for cancer research and services, to remember those who have lost the battle with this disease, and to celebrate those who are fighting and surviving it.

The goal is to make cancer a national priority, organizers say. It's a goal the participants are intensely committed to reaching.

"This is not the time to back down," said Joyce Graves, a 2-time breast cancer survivor from New Mexico. She became a passionate fundraiser with Relay For Life after her first diagnosis, and became even more committed to the supporting research after her husband, Paul, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia. The targeted drug Gleevec has kept him in remission for more than 4 years. Both husband and wife are acting as Ambassadors at Celebration on the Hill.

"Paul is alive because of research," Joyce stressed. "[New discoveries] are coming fast and furious."

To drive home that point, the Graveses and other Ambassadors are meeting face to face with members of Congress to discuss the importance of federal funding for cancer research and other initiatives.

Lawmakers will be urged to provide budget increases to the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute, which sponsor a substantial amount of cancer research in the US.

In addition, Ambassadors are urging lawmakers to increase funding for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. This program, run by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), provides low-income women with screening and treatment for breast and cervical cancer. Because of inadequate funds, the program currently reaches only 1 out of every 5 eligible women.

The third priority for Celebration on the Hill participants is to promote the Congressional Cancer Promise. Ambassadors are asking legislators to sign the document, which commits them to supporting specific legislative actions in the fight against cancer.

One of the highlights of the event promises to be the huge Relay For Life on the National Mall September 20. Cancer survivors will have the honor of the first lap on the track surrounding the Capitol Reflecting Pool, and teams will circle the track throughout the day.

Beyond the track, spanning 4 city blocks, is the Wall of Hope, a monument to those touched by cancer. This massive structure consists of 5,000 banners signed by millions of people in communities across the US.

Wednesday's events conclude with a luminaria ceremony, a moving tradition from Relay For Life. At dusk, thousands of candles surrounding the Reflecting Pool are lit in honor of those fighting cancer now, and in memory of those who have lost their battle.