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Maureen Flynn
Dana-Farber connection
Staff — Project Coordinator for the New England Cancer Survivorship Consortium
Why I'm involved in advocacy
As a cancer survivor, as a sister to a cancer survivor and as a sister who lost my other sister to cancer, I feel it is my duty to advocate for and with my fellow survivors to insure that funding for research to advance treatment and prolong life and funding for cancer survivorship services are priorities both locally and nationally.
My advocacy experience
It works, it is empowering, and it builds community. I have served in leadership roles and in supportive roles on issues related to cancer and cancer survivorship locally and nationally. Although we have not always gotten all that we asked for, I have always come away from the experience with a sense of awe that we live in a democracy where voices joined together can bring about change.
Advice for anyone interested in advocacy
Just do it! You will make a difference whether you are in the crowd or in the lead. All that is needed is your presence, your passion and your voice.
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Eric Rodriguez
Dana-Farber connection
Patient, member of Dana-Farber's Pediatric Patient and Family Advisory Council
Why I'm involved in advocacy
Because I would someday like to tell my grandchildren that when I was young there was a disease called cancer and how it impacted my life as a young adult. I feel like we all can make a difference by speaking out, encouraging change and most importantly curing the disease and improving the outcome effects of cancer treatments.
My advocacy experience
Sending letters and e-mails to senators, testifying at the Massachusetts State House, being a panelist on the President's Cancer Panel, attending conferences with others who have been affected by cancer.
Advice for anyone interested in advocacy
All you need is a voice and well-organized thoughts to make a difference.
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Maryann MacIntyre
Dana-Farber connection
Patient, member of PFAC
Why I'm involved in advocacy
We have to create an awareness of how each cancer patient, and family members, can have a voice and a place at the table when funding of research or creation of policy is discussed. We are directly impacted.
My advocacy experience
Direct engagement of Massachusetts lawmakers on the matter of school choice.
Advice for anyone interested in advocacy
Check in on this Web site for information and opportunities to participate.
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Ellen R. Frank, PhD
Dana-Farber connection
Patient since 1996 and active member of the Adult Patient Family Advisory Council.
Why I'm involved in advocacy
I know that every voice counts and each of us has the power to influence our world. I am deeply concerned about insurance coverage for the costs of cancer treatment and the quality of life for cancer survivors. One of the highest bankruptcy rates is among cancer survivors. There have been deep cuts in cancer research institutions all throughout the United States, and this is a potentially devastating turn of events for all cancer patients. You and I can and will impact these trends.
My advocacy experience
I have successfully worked with members of Congress and the Senate to create a federal mandate to insist every state Medicaid cover a new drug for AIDS. I participate with the ACS in all letter writing campaigns to influence government bills that impact cancer patients. I have worked for non-profit cancer agencies to examine the impact of early detection and screening on the incidence of cancer.
Advice for anyone interested in advocacy
Your voice really does count. It may simply be a matter of e-mailing a letter or making a phone call. Whenever and whatever you are up for, if you have advocacy experience or not, you have a voice and we cancer patients need your help.
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Anne Hristov
Dana-Farber connection
Patient, member of Dana-Farber's Patient and Family Advisory Council
Why I'm involved in advocacy
I want to be cured someday and would like to see more programs and funding invested in improving the quality of life for cancer survivors. So many advances have been made in discovering new cancer treatments and any cuts in federal funding severely impact future progress.
My advocacy experience
Sending letters and e-mails to senators and representatives, attending mission days on Capitol Hill, testifying at the Massachusetts State House.
Advice for anyone interested in advocacy
No special skills required. Getting involved can be as easy as sending an e-mail to your senator or representative, but it can make such as huge impact.
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Trudi Feinstein
Dana-Farber connection
Patient, family member and member of the Patient and Family Advisory Council.
Why I'm involved in advocacy
I am a breast cancer survivor and feel very fortunate each day. I do rounding at Dana-Farber, where I speak to patients going through their own personal struggle with cancer. Patients need advocates. It is critical, and we need to have resources readily available to them.
My advocacy experience
Contacting people in our community who can help us to make a difference as well as raising money for cancer research.
Advice for anyone interested in advocacy
Just a desire to help!
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Barbara Holtz
Dana-Farber connection
Member of the Patient and Family Advisory Council, breast cancer patient
Why I'm involved in advocacy
During the course of cancer treatment at Dana-Farber, I started to think of ways I could give back to the medical community that gave me high-quality, focused, compassionate care. Together with other like-minded individuals, I hoped to pool our hearts, minds and skills to ease the burden of cancer patients (and their families and loved ones) everywhere. It's a win-win when we can influence legislators to achieve improvements in access to health care and insurance, when we feel entirely comfortable in reporting uncomfortable side-effects to our physicians (so that they in turn influence scientists to test and produce less toxic drugs), and when we can encourage and help empower cancer patients to take an active role in their own treatment plan.
My advocacy experience
Making calls and sending letters to my state representatives and senators in order to give my view of pending legislation; personally visiting legislators of the Massachusetts delegation on Capitol Hill on behalf of breast and ovarian cancer patients; attending "working group" meetings at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) that may result in expanded budgets for cancer research; in short, being vocal.
Advice for anyone interested in advocacy
Think about experiences that forced you or a loved one to cope with a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Or think about what you might have done differently and want to advise other people (in similar circumstances) to do. Or, think about people from underserved communities who need other people to advocate for them — and what you might do to assist them. The advocacy process usually begins with these kinds of ideas, and gains momentum from that point on. You can do it, and we need you to help us!
