Advocacy

Now Is the Time to Speak Up for Kids’ Cancer

by Amy Bucher, St. Baldrick's Foundation Board Member
January 2, 2015

The mid-term elections are over, 2015 has begun and our new senators and representatives are taking their seats. Should passionate, well-informed pediatric cancer advocates wait and see what they’ll do? No way. 

St-Baldricks-Washington-DC

St. Baldrick’s Hero Fund manager, Kelly Forebaugh, (on left) and board member Amy Bucher at Childhood Cancer Action Days 2014

Now is the perfect time to talk with our 114th Congress about the current funding crisis for pediatric cancer research — the National Cancer Institute (NCI) budget is once again receiving funding levels far below the levels we know are needed to find the necessary cures and treatments for childhood cancer.

Now is the perfect time to introduce yourself and your story to those newly elected legislators, encouraging those serving in the House of Representatives to join the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus. We have an excellent opportunity to educate all new Members of Congress as to why it is so critical for them to be aware of our current policy priorities and how important sustained NCI funding for pediatric cancer research is to those infants, children, adolescents, and young adults waiting for more effective, less toxic treatments. For those so desperately waiting for cures.

St. Baldrick's Foundation advocacy Washington DC Childhood Cancer

To them, time is of the essence.

Effective advocacy is about building relationships, about consistent communication that goes beyond an initial email or phone call. Follow-ups, check-ins, notes of thanks are all important steps in reaching our goals on behalf of the young, vulnerable cancer patients and survivors for whom we Speak Up.

Thank you, St. Baldrick’s community advocates, for giving them a voice and for amplifying it in their honor, in their memory, in their defense…inspiring all who hear to take action.

Speak Up for kids’ cancer research. Join our advocacy network.

Speak Up

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