Local boy advocating for cancer at the state capitol

One local sixth grader along with dozens of other cancer advocates had their day at the state capitol.

They are rallying to change Arizona laws and make them more friendly in the fight against cancer.

Each of them are hoping to persuade state lawmakers to improve Arizona cancer patients quality of life, by raising the age to buy tobacco products to twenty-one and to ban minors from using indoor tanning beds to prevent early skin cancer.

Cancer survivors and cancer advocates rallied at the Arizona state capitol on Tuesday. It’s the annual day for the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network.

Roughly 200 people showed up, each with their own reason to share or support for people fighting the deadly disease.

Sixth grader Wyatt Norred said sometimes people need to take a step back and look at it from a kids point of view.

“Once you turn 18 you can die for your country in the military or the marines. Well during that they didn’t like it because if they went off to war you can’t say that you can’t smoke for that. But I told them what happens if you go to war and you come back alive. You just did a big thing. What happens if you come back alive and you smoke and you have cancer,” said Wyatt Norred.

Wyatt is hoping state legislators can begin changing Arizona laws to help make it happen.

On Thursday there will be a hearing with the house health committee for the tanning bill at the state capital. Meanwhile, the bill that would raise the legal age to buy tobacco products has not been scheduled for a hearing.