Advocacy

 

What is an Advocate?

An advocate is one who speaks on behalf of another person, especially in a legal context.
                                   
Our children need us to be their advocates.  Their voices are unheard, their future is unknown and their suffering needs to end.

How can you become an Advocate for our children?

Contact your Representatives and Senators.

Be Passionate & Persistent

Take action--Call, write, and email your Representatives and Senators.

1. When you call your Representatives and Senators let his/her staffers know this issue is important to you.  Do not read from a script.  Write down key points you want to address during the conversation and speak from your heart.
   
   
2. Send a letter and/or email personalize your story.  Tell them about your child, include a picture before diagnosis & after and ask for something.  Make your purpose clear.
   
   
3. Follow up with a Thank you note, maybe even a holiday card.  Remind your Representative and Senator of your child.  You could include another picture and a little of how the child is doing.
   
   
4. Inform your Representatives and Senators of other children in the area.  Send newspaper articles or fundraising flyers.  (do not invade the other child's privacy but public info. is fine)
   
   
5. Inform your Representatives and Senators of other children in the area.  Send newspaper articles or fundraising flyers.  (do not invade the other child's privacy but public info. is fine)
   

The facts speak for themselves:

• Childhood cancer remains the leading disease related cause of death in children.
• Every school day 46 children are diagnosed with childhood cancer, the equivalent of two classrooms of students.
• 12,500 children are diagnosed with cancer each year.
• Over 2,500 children under the age of 20 lose their lives to cancer every year.
• The average age of diagnosis for childhood cancer is 6 years old. The potential years of life saved for each child with cancer is approximately 66 years.

Research has made tremendous advancements in childhood cancer treatment and has led to less toxic treatment and fewer late effects. However, we still have a long way to go. Research is the key to a cure. More research funding and support is needed in order to reach the day when every child with cancer can be guaranteed a cure.

Stay Informed – Join...

The North American Brain Tumor Coalition

CureSearch

Last update Aug. 2008