The Affordable Care Act is a personal issue to me. In February 2012, I was diagnosed with an inoperable and incurable brain tumor. I was just like you or your children, going to work each day, paying for my insurance, thinking nothing bad would happen to me because I was a young invincible.

Last fall, I wrote U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly to share how the ACA will benefit me. Unfortunately, Kelly was unable to clarify for me how he could do philanthropic work for cancer research, but then make it impossible for one of his constituents to benefit from this research by attempting to take away their health insurance. Worst yet, Kelly didn’t even acknowledge my illness or the devastating reality that my parents may lose their youngest child. Instead, Kelly’s response was a template that he uses for any political opponent that he feels needs lecturing about the issue.

By contrast, when I wrote his challenger, Dan LaVallee, to tell my story, his concern was about a person battling a disease that both I and my family must face.

Your security could vanish just as quickly as mine did if the ACA is repealed. The only way to remain secure is to have a representative in Washington who listens to us. That’s why I urge you all to support Dan LaVallee.