What is Advocacy?

The federal government is the largest funder of all cancer research. To this point, the federal government has failed to put a comprehensive plan of action together to address lung cancer.  It remains the least funded of all major cancers. We are committed to changing that and securing multiple millions of public health dollars for lung cancer research.  This is what advocacy is all about!

Advocacy = Democracy

Every citizen has the right to petition our government for change and the way to do that is through your elected officials.  They need to hear what is important to you, as their constituent.  Contact your legislators and let them know that you want to see increased research funding for lung cancer early detection and treatments. 

Advocacy = Education

As lung cancer advocates, you need to tell our public policy officials and public health leaders about lung cancer.  Present the facts about the disease.  Share your stories and put a human face to the disease. 

Advocacy = Awareness

Once you have talked with your legislators, we need you to ask others to do the same.  Spread the word about lung cancer.  In doing so, you will provide the compassion and support for the entire community.  Also, the more people we share the facts with, the more people who are likely to take action!

Advocacy = Legislative Action

Once your legislators have been educated to the facts of the disease and the need to do more to help the lung cancer community, it will be time to get their commitment to changing the disease.  This is when you ask them to support the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act. 

Advocacy = Federal Research Funding

The Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act is a piece of comprehensive federal legislation that calls for different agencies within the government to put together a plan of action to address lung cancer and show it to Congress.  Then Congress will set the funding levels and federal money will go to fund early detection programs as well as treatment research for lung cancer.