Lance Armstrong Foundation Summit
I have just returned from the LAF Summit in Columbus, Ohio. 1000 delegates from across the US were chosen to be there. We were chosen because we are cancer activists and had demonstrated that we want to make a difference. I also attended the Summit held in 2006 in Austin Texas.
The Summit was definitely a life-altering event! We were there from Thursday July 24th to Sunday 27th. On Thursday night we kicked things off with a Town Hall Meeting at the Ohio State University Campus with Senator John McCain addressing us and answering questions from Lance Armstrong and delegates. Both presidential candidates were invited to attend. Senator Obama lost his mother to ovarian cancer and Senator McCain is a three time melanoma survivor. The LAF goal is for the next president to take the oath of office while holding up a Yellow Wrist-banded hand!!
The time flew by as we met in one of three interest tracks–Advocacy, Fundraising, or Elections. I was in Elections. We were instructed by several experts in how to make a difference in the political arena. After all, major funding from the Federal and State governments is what will ultimately win the war on cancer. We have made phenomenal progress in the last ten years and about 70% of cancers are now cured. The remaining 30% of patients can often be maintained for a number of years of good quality life. A few cancers have not made as much progress as the rest, primarily lung and pancreatic, and we have much to do to cure all cancers.
The LAF brought together the 1000 delegates to be trained in how to facilitate a grassroots campaign to Vote Yellow, ie find out how each candidate sees funding for cancer research. Will they make funding for cancer research a priority for our country? Are they willing to allow cancer funding to remain flat or decrease as it has in the last three years? Are they willing to allow 560,000 of us to die each year for lack of research and lack of the best treatment currently available? We want to get each candidate on record and plan to make them accountable, once they are elected, to fulfill these promises for additional funding to cancer research and treatment.
Texas approved Proposition 15 in 2007 and this provides funding to cancer research of $3 billion. NC approved cancer funding of $50 million per year. There are 48 states left to step up to the plate……..
The Livestrong Army will be going out into our neighborhoods and churches, community events, sporting events, state fairs, festivals, political groups, support groups, civic groups and anywhere else we find Americans. We will be asking them to wear a Yellow Bracelet to demonstrate their commitment to Vote Yellow! If you will join this effort, go to the Lance Armstrong Foundation website and volunteer. www.livestrong.org
If you will help spread the word to your friends and neighbors, and they talk to their friends and family, the word will quickly spread that Americans are no longer willing to lose 1500 citizens a day to cancer. Be part of the solution to cancer. Livestrong!
Suzan Maddox, 18 year breast cancer survivor
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