Following Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill, the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance suggests meeting with your elected officials at the district level.  Many advocates are doing just that.

Meet Karen Adams of California

What was the context of your interaction with your elected official?

Town Hall Meeting

What prompted you to meet with your elected official?

I had met with his staff in DC and I wanted to meet him in person to deliver  thank you note for becoming a co-sponsor of Johanna’s Law.

Describe your experience at the Town Hall?

It was my first town hall. There were a lot of people there who were very abrasive in the way they spoke to Representative Farr. I took a different approach and when I stood up I thanked him and told the crowd all the positive things Representative Farr had done for us. I asked him for his continued support. He seemed relieved to have a positive person in the crowd. He shared a personal story with me about his mom dying of cancer when he was 22. I think he will remember the positive interaction he had with me amongst all of the angry comments he got throughout the evening.

How did the experience differ in terms of what you expected and the actual experience?

I didn’t know how many people would be there wanting to share so much negativity. I was nervous to get up and deliver the letter in front of the crowd but everyone was very kind to me. Representative Farr was very calm and put me at ease when he spoke to me. I have more confidence to continue to meeting with my elected officials knowing that they are there to work for me and I am only asking them to spend “my” money on and issues that impact me and my friends and family.

What impact do you think meeting with elected officials has on the ovarian cancer movement?

They have so many other people pulling them in other directions and informing them about other issues, these officials will never know about how important ovarian cancer research is unless someone stands up for it. They listen to the voices that make an impact on them. As a survivor, I think our voices may leave the biggest impact. Face to face meetings are so important. They will know that we took time out of our day to make a statement and that will leave an impression.

Do you recommend that other ovarian cancer advocates go to a Town Hall meeting or make an appointment to speak with their elected officials?

I recommend going for the experience and seeing a little closer how politics work. I recommend going with a friend in order to make it a little less scary and to make sure you follow through with getting up and making your statement. The crowds may make you a little nervous but keep the positive attitude and a thankful heart and your words will stand out and leave an impact with not only your elected official but also the community around you.

For more information about the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance’s Annual Conference, visit www.ovariancancer.org/conference/2010.