TOWN HALL MEETING

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• How can advocates interface with legislators?
• How can advocates improve their work at local, regional, and national levels?
• How can advocates lobby for increased funding with budgets already stretched thin?
• How can we recruit more minority advocates and train them, especially black men for prostate cancer advocacy?
• Can cancer research centers be given a special label or credential for having a patient advocacy program?

Many cancer-related organizations focus on various kinds of advocacy in the cancer community—legislative advocacy, research advocacy, patient advocacy, fundraising, support, and education advocacy, etc.  Those interested in research advocacy most often work with NCI. Research advocacy offers an opportunity to enhance education, for a better understanding of research, and also to participate in peer review of scientific grant applications, in review of educational materials, and on advisory boards, both locally and at the national level.

Many national advocacy groups sponsor training in various kinds of advocacy, with teleconferences and class sessions.  Those interested should search the Web sites of various advocacy groups. NCI is required to follow federal law, which says the Institute cannot encourage any individual or organization to lobby Congress on its behalf.  Here are examples of advocacy organizations that offer research advocacy training:

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Scientist <--> Survivor Program
This program is an opportunity to hear the latest clinical research findings.  One unique feature is that survivors/advocates are paired with researchers and physicians to help with mutual understanding of issues in small group meetings and plenary sessions.  There is also an opportunity to network with advocates from consumer organizations from around the world. This program is for all cancers, with international participation.
http://www.aacr.org/home/survivors--advocates/scientistharr;survivor-program.aspx

National Breast Cancer Coalition
Project LEAD
This program offers advocates a four-day course in biology and the epidemiology of breast cancer, taught by some of the most well known scientists and physicians in the field. At the end of this course, each advocate will have a basic understanding and general knowledge of research, drug protocols, and clinical trials.
http://www.natlbcc.org/bin/index.asp?Strid=482&depid=7

Research Advocacy Network (RAN)
Advocate Institute
The RAN Advocate Institute provides a means of directing the passion of patient advocates to more effective interactions with researchers through curricula, on-site presentations, and online learning opportunities.  Visit www.researchadvocacy.org/ to learn more.

San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation
Patient Advocate/Mentor Program
This program is designed to help advocates understand the latest findings in breast cancer research. Mentors clarify these findings and assist advocates in writing hot topic papers that are published after the meeting.
http://www.sabcs.org/PatientAdvocates/index.asp

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