My story. My elected officials. My opportunity to make an impact on Capitol Hill.
Advocate Dona Jones meets with Congresswoman Christensen at the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance’s 2009 Advocacy Day.
This summer, join the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and ovarian cancer advocates on Capitol Hill as we march through the halls of Congress and let our needs be heard. Despite the concerted efforts of hundreds of advocates from across the nation, funding continues to be threatened for ovarian cancer research programs that work to find a screening test and new treatments. Federal programs designed to spread awareness of ovarian cancer continue to see little, if any, increases in federal funding.
When you meet with the offices of your elected officials, you will represent not only yourself and your unique story but also other women from your community who are unable to be in Washington. Your participation in Advocacy Day will allow your elected officials and their staff to get to know you and witness your passion for increasing ovarian cancer research funding and awareness efforts.
When and where does Advocacy Day 2010 take place?
Advocacy Day 2010 will be on July 13, 2010. This is an all day event starting early in the morning and ending early evening.
This event coincides with the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance’s Annual Conference which takes place at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. For more information about the Conference, please contact Liz White, Director of Events, at lwhite@ovariancancer.org.
What will I be doing?
You will be meeting with the offices of your Congressperson from the House of Representatives and your two Senators. Your meetings may be with the elected officials or their staff.
These meetings will be scheduled in advanced by the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, so there is no work for you to do.
All details have yet to be confirmed, but a tentative schedule is as follows:
1) The evening before Advocacy Day, you receive training and materials to help you with your meetings. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you might have and will meet other advocates going with you to Capitol Hill.
2) The next morning, you will be driven by bus to Capitol Hill to attend your three meetings.
3) After your meetings, there is a casual and often lively debriefing session where advocates share what happened throughout their day.
I have no background in politics and government. Should I still come?
You do not need to have any knowledge of how government works to have a successful meeting with your elected officials or their staff. The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance will give you all the training you need prior to Advocacy Day.
I don’t know anyone who is attending Advocacy Day. I’m also unsure if others from my area will be attending Advocacy Day. Will I have to go to these meetings alone?
No, all Advocacy Day registrants will be placed on Advocacy Teams. You will be attending your meetings with at least one other person.
Do you have questions about Advocacy Day 2010? If so, email action@ovariancancer.org.
To register for advocacy, go to: www.ovariancancer.org/conference/2010
Scroll to the bottom of this page, click the icon with the teal ribbon which reads “Register Now.” When you get to the next page, click “General” to start the registration process for Advocacy Day 2010.
Photo courtesy of Duane Stork.
