Advocacy & Public Policy
SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE ADVOCACY ALLIANCE
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance is a voice for change on Capitol
Hill and in state legislatures. With the help of nearly 200,000 Komen advocates
and Komen's network of 125 domestic affiliates, we are aggressively seeking increased
funding for research and greater access to screening and treatment. The Komen Advocacy
Alliance engages policymakers and leaders at all levels of government to advocate
for an increased investment in breast cancer research and greater access to breast
health services. Stay "in the know" about current legislative and Advocacy Alliance
actions. Click here to become an advocate.
BREAST CANCER BILL OF RIGHTS
The Breast Cancer Bill of Rights is the foundation for protecting the rights of breast cancer
patients. Susan G. Komen for the CureŽ Advocacy Alliance believes every woman has the right to timely,
high-quality, affordable breast health services. Click here to view the Breast Cancer Bill of Rights.
MICHIGAN AFFILIATES HOST FIRST -EVER STATE ADVOCACY DAY
On March 16th, twenty-five advocates and staff from Michigan's Komen Affiliates held the first state
Komen Advocacy Day. With a looming budget deficit of $1.8 billion and growing needs in the state, currently
dealing with a 10.4% unemployment rate, the focus was on protecting Medicaid and the Breast and Cervical
Cancer Control Program. Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker and Elizabeth Thompson set the stage in February at the
National Governors Association in Washington, D.C., where they met with Michigan's new Governor Rick Snyder
and his wife Sue, a breast cancer survivor.
Term limits precipitate the need to build relationships with over 90 freshman legislators and to stay
in touch with officials who already know Komen. Thirty-six meetings with Michigan House and Senate members
on the Health Policy and Appropriations committees garnered strong interest and support. Sen. Glenn Anderson,
Appropriations Committee member followed up with a visit the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute (local
presenting sponsor for Detroit's Race). He met with Karmanos President and CEO Gerold Bepler, MD, Ph.D.,
and Komen funded researchers working on the Delphinus SoftVue System, a tomographic ultrasound imaging
system that may one day serve as a mammography alternative (Read more
here.)
More legislators plan site visits with Komen Affiliates.
Supporting their position by showing how Komen does its part in Michigan with a current $3.6 million investment
in community grants and $14.7 million in research grants since 1995, Komen Michigan advocates will continue to
educate legislators and decision-makers about the human and economic impact of early detection. Governor Snyder's
proposed budget protects the under and uninsured; the end result of his proposal is now in the hands of the
Legislature. House and Senate budget proposals include extensive cuts to prevention programs and would prove
devastating for the BCCCP. The Michigan Affiliates backed their positions up with letter to members of the
House and Senate Appropriations Committees. An Action Alert was sent to Komen Advocates. You can take action
here.
The Governor has requested the budget be enacted by May 31.
SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE 2011 LOBBY DAY
L to R: Jane Abraham; Komen Advocacy Alliance Board; Becky Royer, Komen Northwest Ohio; Maureen Keenan Meldrum. Komen
Detroit; Congressman John Dingell; Lisa Braddix and Bob Binson, from Komen Detroit
Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance held its National Lobby Day on April 14, 2011. Representatives from 71
Komen Affiliates across 31 states were on hand to engage our elected officials on important breast cancer and breast
health issues. One of the key issues discussed was the preservation of state screening programs like the National
Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) that provide vital breast cancer screening to underserved
and uninsured women. The Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) is Michigan's version of the NBCCEDP.
There are some proposed budget cuts to this program, which would prove devastating for the growing population of
uninsured women in Michigan. Thanks to such programs, more women are able to access timely and affordable breast
health services and have a better chance of detecting breast cancer at early stages, when it is most survivable.
Early detection is key to surviving breast cancer. Later diagnoses consequently leads to more costly treatments
and more lives lost to breast cancer. It is crucial to sustain these state screening and early detection programs,
especially due to the increased demand of such services and to maintain the progress made in the fight against
breast cancer over the past 30 years. Komen Detroit asked Michigan elected officials to reaffirm their commitment
to the importance and value of access to breast health services for all women, including women who are underserved
and uninsured, by co-sponsoring a Congressional Resolution on Breast Cancer (S.Res 144/H. Res. 234).
Additionally, elected officials were asked to co-sponsor a resolution approving the reauthorization of the Breast
Cancer Research Stamp (S. 384/H.R. 466). The Breast Cancer Research Stamp is a special "semi-postal" stamp issued by
the U.S. Postal Service, that has generated $72 million for breast cancer research since it was first issued in 1998.
Funds generated from the sales are directed to breast cancer research at the National Institutes of Health and the
Department of Defense's Congressionally-Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) for breast cancer. Finally, elected
officials were encouraged to get involved with Susan G. Komen for the Cure events including the Global Race for the
Cure on June 4, 2011, as well as, attending the Race for the Cure event in their home districts.
The team met with Sen. Carl Levin, Rep. John Dingell, Rep. Candice Miller, Rep. Gary Peters, Rep. Sander Levin,
as well as, aides from Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, Rep. Hansen Clarke, Rep. John Conyers, and Senator Debbie Stabenow's offices.
PAST ADVOCACY ALLIANCE INITIATIVES
We're on a mission. Join us.
- Volunteer
Increasingly, breast cancer public policy is becoming a major focus in metro Detroit.
This is due largely to the 2007 Komen Breast Cancer Mortality Report, highlighting
our community's higher than average breast cancer mortality rate. In response, we've
taken action, and more is planned. If you'd like to join the Komen Detroit Public
Policy / Advocacy Committee, please contact Joan Dennehy at 248-351-1866 or dennehyj@karmanos.org. For more information on the report, click here.
- Other ways you can make a difference in the fight against breast cancer:
- Learn all you can about the disease.
- Spread the word about the importance of early detection by speaking to groups and
individuals.
- Discuss breast cancer with your family members and friends; urge them to conduct
breast self-examinations regularly and receive other screenings as appropriate depending
on their individual risks.
- Participate in a clinical research study conducted to determine whether and how
the disease can be prevented, or how it can be best treated.
- If you want to help address breast cancer disparities in the African American community,
please join the Circle of
Promise.
Congratulations to Maureen Keenan Meldrum and Joan Dennehy - 2009 Susan G Komen
for the Cure Public Policy Advocates of the Year
 Advocates of the Year At the post-lobby day celebration, Hala Moddelmog, CEO of
Susan G. Komen for the Cure awarded Komen Detroit Race for the Cure's Maureen Keenan
Meldrum and Joan Dennehy the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Public Policy Advocates
of the Year award. The award is presented to individuals in recognition of their
efforts to advocate on behalf of breast health issues and bring about positive changes
through policy initiatives within their community. Maureen and Joan were recognized
for the exceptional work at the local, state and national level. Susan G. Komen
is "grateful for [their] 'can-do' attitude, valuable feedback and willingness to
explore ways to incorporate public policy into all Komen Detroit events."
Susan G. Komen for the Cure 2009 Lobby Day
The Komen Detroit Race for the CureŽ delegation including Rebecca Przybycien (Race
Co-Chair), Dr. Michael Simon (Komen for the Cure African American Advisory Council
and Karmanos Cancer Institute Medical Oncologist), Shaa-Ista Wilcox (Public Policy
- Advocacy Chair Komen Detroit) and Joan Dennehy (Breast Cancer Program Specialist)
were on Capitol Hill, April 30th with 300 Komen for the Cure advocates from across
the country, working to reignite the nation's war on cancer. In addition to pushing
for a greater investment in cancer research, the delegation highlighted two recently
introduced bills-- the 21st Century Cancer ALERT ACT and the Breast Cancer EARLY Act-- both of which tackle the cancer crisis in
several important ways. Together, these bills will save lives and get us closer
to discovering and delivering the cures to cancer. The team met with Representative
Gary Peters (pictured above with the team) and aides from the Congressional offices
of Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, John Dingell, John Conyers, Sander Levin, and Thaddeus
McCotter. The teams also met with aides from Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow
offices.
SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE® AND THE SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE® ADVOCACY ALLIANCE MOURN THE LOSS OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY (February 22, 1932 - August 25, 2009)
"War on Cancer" He Helped Ignite Continues
Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Advocacy Alliance express condolences to the family and staff of our long-time friend and ally U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who passed away July 25th following his long battle with brain cancer.
"Senator Kennedy was not only a giant in the Senate, he was a dear friend of the entire cancer community, having helped launch the nation's war on cancer more than 25 years ago," said Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, founding chair of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and chair of Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance's 19 member Board of Directors, which includes leaders from the business, advocacy and heath care industries and includes survivors and co-survivor(s). "He was our friend in the beginning, and he continued to stand by us until his final days. His strength and perseverance were an inspiration to us all. While he will be missed, his spirit lives on in the fight to find the cures for cancer."
Kennedy wrote the original National Cancer Act of 1971, which kicked off our nation's "War on Cancer." Nearly four decades later, Kennedy was once again leading a bipartisan effort, along with U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), to comprehensively address the challenges our nation faces in battling this disease. Kennedy and his staff worked closely with the Komen Advocacy Alliance, along with others in the cancer community, to strengthen cancer research, increase access to treatment and develop new and better resources to detect cancers at an earlier stage. This effort led to the introduction earlier this year of the 21st Century EARLY Act (Access to Life-saving Early Detection, Research and Treatment) Act.
As a long-time champion of comprehensive health reform, Kennedy and his staff also worked tirelessly to ensure that the needs of cancer patients are considered in the current reform debate.
"Senator Kennedy helped unite the cancer community - and the nation - behind the idea that we must put aside our differences and work together toward a common goal: the end of suffering from cancer," said Hala Moddelmog, president and CEO of Komen for the Cure. "The thoughts and prayers of the entire Susan G. Komen for the Cure network of survivors and advocates are with his dear wife Victoria and his family as they mourn his passing."
Komen Advocacy Alliance Supports Efforts to Encourage Early Breast Health Education
- The EARLY Act
The Susan G. Komen for the CureŽ Advocacy Alliance commended Reps. Debbie Wasserman
Schultz (D-FL), Sue Myrick (R-NC), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Donna Christensen (D-VT)
and Melissa Bean (D-IL) for their efforts to inspire young women to take control
of their breast health with the introduction MARCH 23rd of the "Breast Cancer Education
and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009." The EARLY Act will initiate
an aggressive public education campaign about breast cancer and women under age
40 - with an emphasis on women at higher risk due to their race, ethnicity or genetic
heritage.
In addition to educating young women, the bill will also help health care professionals
be more aware of the risk factors, the opportunities for genetic counseling and
testing, and the unique challenges that face young women diagnosed with breast cancer.
While breast cancer is less common among women under age 40 than for other age groups,
this year alone, 11,000 young women under age 40 will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
Of these, about 1,000 will be between age 20 and age 30. Today, more than 250,000
women under age 40 are living with breast cancer; many of them found out they had
cancer while they were in their 20s.
When breast cancer occurs in women under age 40, it is often detected at later stages,
is more likely to be aggressive, and less likely to be responsive to hormone therapies.
There is a lack of awareness about the risks of breast cancer for young women and
the unique challenges facing young women with breast cancer. This important bill
would change that. Click here to urge your senators to co-sponsor the EARLY Act.
Tell Congress to Expand Access to Clinical Trials!
Clinical trials are a vital lifeline, offering access to high quality care and cutting
edge treatments for people battling life-threatening diseases like cancer. But sadly,
thousands of people are denied access to these trials each year, simply because
their insurance doesn't cover routine treatment costs associated with the study.
The Access to Cancer Clinical Trials Act of 2009 would remove this barrier by requiring
insurance companies to cover routine care provided as part of a clinical trial -
offering a lifeline to thousands of people and helping to advance our scientific
knowledge. Similar bills have been introduced before, but failed to reach a vote.
To ensure this bill passes, we need your help. Don't let our Representatives in
Congress waste this chance to support life-saving cancer research and access to
care. Click here to send a letter to your representatives today, urging them to
support this vital bill.
Rev. 5-5-2011
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