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advocacy A volunteer shares how statewide advocacy efforts can have an impact Michigan's Celebration at the State Capitol, a major American Cancer Society advocacy event, is coming up on June 13, 2006! Indiana's advocacy event is called Indiana Lobby Day, and took place on February 7, 2006 in Indianapolis. The goal is to give volunteers from around the state a chance to speak with legislators about the importance of making cancer-related issues a priority. Deb Walworth of East Grand Rapids, Michigan, is ready to go to Celebration at the State Capitol. Cancer has always been a part of her life; her family has the BRCA 1 gene, which makes them more susceptible to getting breast or ovarian cancer. Her mom battled cancer five times while taking care of other relatives. In 2002, Deb was in the middle of a career change and working towards getting her Master's degree when her doctor told her that she had it too.  She attended last year's Celebration at the State Capitol because she knows the important role advocacy plays in getting funding for important cancer research and laws. "It's only because money was made available for research and the word was getting out for cancer screening, that's why I ended up doing OK," Deb says.
When she was in Lansing last year, she felt the energy of everyone being together for a major cause. They prepared to speak with legislators by listening to Society staff talk about the bills, hearing survivors speak, and being coached on how to tell their stories in a short and strategic way. Volunteers were given examples of what to talk about and cards to write down notes if needed. When it was time to talk with the legislators, Deb wasn't intimidated and felt well prepared. At the event, legislators come down to talk with the advocates within a time span of two hours and spend about ten minutes talking with them. Some went inside to speak with the legislators, while other representatives weren't available that day, so the volunteers left notes. Deb is glad that she went to Lansing last year and plans to go again this June. "It's worth going because, by knowing the specific issues and seeing how your representative reacts, it can give you more insight if the right people are in office. Whether they are for you or against you, they should be listening." So far, 150 people have registered to attend the 2006 event, but we are hoping for 400 more. Indiana set the example by having nearly 400 volunteers gather in Indianapolis to support non-smoking bills and increase the tobacco tax by 50 cents. This year's Michigan issues have not yet been defined. Please visit the Celebration at the State Capitol website at for more information and register to join us in Lansing! Other articles in VOICES this month community focus: volunteers help drive patients |
community focus: local networking supports Relay For Life |
survivorship and patient services: survivor recommends Society resources |
education: cancer deaths decline in U.S. |
research: celebrating 60 years of progress |
advocacy: investigating Medicare Part D |
local area spotlight: Society staff reach migrant workers |
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