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resource highlight Resource Highlight: Action Alerts The American Cancer Society recently saved many people's access to mammograms and other lifesaving screenings by defeating a Senate bill that put them at risk. This milestone was made possible by thousands of Society volunteers responding to Action Alerts, e-mails that are given as a resource to volunteers who want to monitor cancer issues in government and take action when needed. Senate Bill 1955, also known as the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act, would have bypassed state laws that were set in place to ensure health insurers cover mammograms, colon cancer screenings, Pap smears, clinical drug participation, and more. Had the bill passed, private health insurers could have refused to cover these lifesaving cancer screenings and treatments. Defeating the bill, which was stopped from even reaching a vote in the Senate, is a major victory for all Americans because more people will have access to critical screenings and treatments.  The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the Society's sister advocacy organization, led the campaign to stop the bill. In an overwhelming response, volunteers throughout the nation sent over 177,000 e-mails and close to 10,000 phone calls to the Senate. Americans contacted the Society's call center and were transferred to the Senate at a rate of about one call per minute.
One of the advocacy volunteers that took action against the bill is Tom Cleveland from Kalamazoo, Michigan (shown right). Tom was diagnosed with cancer in his voice box in 1995 and became involved with the Society that year. In addition to Relay For Life, he joined the Society's grassroots advocacy efforts by becoming an advocacy volunteer and receiving Action Alerts. "I do jump on them when I get them," says Tom. He says that the information in the alert is explained in terms so that everyone can understand the issue. "If I can understand it, anybody can." When he received the Action Alert about Senate Bill 1955, he read the pre-typed message provided with the alert that he could send straight to his senator through e-mail. "I've gotten now where I can take the pre-typed message and put it in my own words," he says, to make his message more personalized. He also wrote a letter and called Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow's office. Tom heard about the bill's defeat through another Action Alert from the ACS CAN. "It's a good thing that it went down," he said proudly. If you would like to join Tom and begin receiving Action Alerts, please contact Sam Denton, Indiana grassroots coordinator at 1-800-233-6303 and Sam.Denton@cancer.org; or Jennifer Hunt, Michigan grassroots coordinator at 1-800-723-0360 and Jennifer.Hunt@cancer.org. Together, we can make a difference and make our voices heard. Other articles in VOICES this month community focus: volunteers show teamwork and passion for new Relay events |
survivorship and patient services: young cancer survivors are invited to our fun-filled, annual summer camp |
survivorship and patient services: Relay For Life celebrates and supports survivors in your community |
research: people with personal cancer experiences help determine funding for Society research |
education: all women over 40 need mammograms, a government funded program may help with cost |
advocacy: meet Sharon Simmons, a survivor joining the Society's efforts in Washington DC |
advocacy: sign the 2015 petition, make your voice heard in Washington DC |
local area spotlight: Society staff partner with health organizations |
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