Advocacy Request --Acton Alert

Dear Cathy We need your help. The damage from Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) extends to those battling breast cancer. We’ve already seen patients losing income, fearing for their health, and many unable to access the care they need. Our work has never been more important, but the impact of COVID-19 makes it more urgent. We are closely monitoring new developments and the impact on the communities we serve. We continue to support life-saving research and serve your community through crucial patient assistance programs, and that can’t stop. However, the impact on Komen’s ability to raise the money needed to fulfill its mission helping breast cancer patients, survivors and caregivers is at risk. As you read this, the U.S. Senate is crafting a coronavirus relief package. We need to make sure your senators know that community-based charitable organizations, like Susan G. Komen, should be part of that package. Please take action now! Meanwhile, we will keep you informed as things progress. News stories are changing rapidly and social media can often be confusing, you can find the latest evidence-based information here. Komen statements and additional information is also available from our Newsroom. And, if you need support, the Komen Breast Care Helpline, 1-877-GO-KOMEN (1-877-465-6636), provides information, psychosocial support and help with coping strategies related to anxiety or concerns during these uncertain times. The service is offered in English and Spanish from 9:00am-10:00pm ET. Email the helpline directly at helpline@komen.org. Thank you for your support – together we can get through this critical time.  Sincerely, Susan G. Komen Public Policy & Advocacy Team

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Advocacy Request from the American Cancer Society

	Cathy, This is so important. Late yesterday, I heard that in their debate on a new coronavirus package, U.S. Senators are still deciding whether or not to include support for the community-based charitable organizations on the front lines supporting cancer patients and survivors. We now expect this vote to happen on Monday, so we have just a little more time to help your senators understand the critical services cancer patients will need not only during this pandemic, but also during the economic downturn that many expect to follow. Please send a message to your U.S. Senators now and help convince them to definitely support the organizations that are directly assisting the patients who rely on their lifesaving services. It takes less than a minute using our easy action form. Feel free to scroll down a bit to see our email from Thursday if you need more information. Thank you so much for taking quick action. Brian Rubenstein Senior Director, Digital Strategy --------------- To: Cathy From: Brian Rubenstein, ACS CAN Date: March 19, 2020 Cathy, We are in your community. And that can’t stop. I’m not asking you for a donation. I’m asking you to take a simple, 30-second action. As you know, the American Cancer Society (ACS) is a community-driven organization. Its foundation is built upon things like kids collecting change at their school. The neighborhood pizza parlor hosting a fundraiser on a Tuesday night. Friends and family rallying together at their local Relay For Life. But, for good reason, schools have been shuttered, restaurants closed, and community gatherings prohibited. And the impact on ACS’s ability to raise the money needed to fulfill its mission serving cancer patients, survivors and caregivers is at risk. What could that mean? Having to decline a cancer patient’s need for a free ride to treatment. Not being able to provide free lodging when a patient’s treatment takes them far from home. Less research to advance our understanding of how to prevent and treat this disease. And not being that 24/7/365 resource that millions of cancer patients, caregivers and their loved ones depend on for trusted cancer information at the moment they need it. Right now – literally – the U.S. Senate is discussing the next coronavirus relief package. We need to make sure your senators know that community-based charitable organizations should be part of that package. Please send a message to your U.S. Senators asking them to provide support for the organizations whose mission is to serve the people in their community. It takes less than a minute using our easy action form. As you are likely home in front of your computer anyway, why not send a quick message that could help millions of cancer patients and survivors continue getting the support they need. The vote could happen as soon as tomorrow morning. So please do act now. Thank you, Brian Rubenstein Senior Director, Digital Strategy

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Advocacy Request from the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network

	Cathy, Here we go again. For the THIRD year in a row, the president’s budget is calling for a huge cut in cancer research funding. Despite the Administration bragging about the recently reported decline in cancer death rates, they want to drastically cut the very thing that is helping save all those lives. So, for the third year in a row, we need to stop them. Right now, please send a message to your members of Congress calling on them to oppose these recommended cuts and instead support an increase in breast cancer research funding. It takes less than a minute using our easy action form. In an uncertain world, there is one thing we know for sure - breast cancer research saves lives. The great work of ACS CAN volunteers has stopped these cuts before. Now it’s time to do it again. Thank you for taking action. Kristin Nabers Associate Director, Grassroots Campaigns

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Advocacy Insider from Susan G. Komen Center for Public Policy

February 2020 Updates

2020 Speak Truth to Power Conference – Advocating to Achieve Health Equity

Komen will not achieve its Bold Goal without engaging the African-American community where the impact of breast cancer is the most devastating. African-American women are 40 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than their white counterparts. Through the Speak Truth to Power: Advocating to Achieve Health Equity Conference, Komen will convene community health leaders and advocates to learn about the role public policy and advocacy plays in reducing breast cancer disparities and the importance of engaging in these efforts.

The 2020 Komen Speak Truth to Power Conference and Advocacy Summit will be held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott (1700 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA 22202) beginning the evening of June 7, 2020. Following the Conference, attendees will participate in the Komen Advocacy Summit.

Click here to learn more and apply today.

Federal Policy & Advocacy Updates

Appropriations

Just before adjourning for the holidays in December, Congress approved the fiscal year (FY) 2020 spending package and it was signed by President Trump. The budget included an increase of $2.6 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), bringing its total budget to $41.7 billion. The NIH budget included $296 million increase for the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for a total budget of $6.44 billion. The funding specifically included money for NCI to increase the number of research grants it funds in a year.

Within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) budget, the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) received level funding of $197 million. The bill also includes a new $50 million initiative to support a data modernization effort at the CDC and directs CDC to prioritize advancements in cancer registries, a priority of our coalition efforts as well.

Finally, the Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) at the Department of Defense (DOD) saw an increase of $20 million in the spending agreement.

We applaud Congress and thank members for the increase in funding dedicated to breast cancer research and expanding access to breast care!

It is now time to turn our attention to the next budget cycle (FY2021). With more than 270,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer estimated to be diagnosed in 2020, we don’t have time to lose. We are calling on our lawmakers to increase funding for life-saving programs through the NIH, CDC, and DOD.

Learn more about Komen’s appropriations requests and join us in taking action.

Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD) Act Introduced in Senate

In 2019, we worked in partnership with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) to introduce federal legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, H.R.2428, to increase women’s access to diagnostic imaging by eliminating cost-sharing for medically-necessary diagnostic breast imaging (diagnostic mammography, breast ultrasound, breast MRI). After a year of advocating for this critical legislation, we are excited to announce that Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) have introduced a companion bill for the Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD) Act in the U.S. Senate, S.3216.

“Early breast cancer detection saves lives,” said Blunt. “Screening is vital, but getting the diagnosis confirmed so patients can start treatment as soon as possible is just as important. By ensuring full coverage of cancer diagnostic tests, this bill eliminates a major hurdle to care, leading to lower treatment costs and better outcomes.”

Learn more on Komen’s website, and join us by taking action and contacting your senators!

State Policy & Advocacy Updates

New Jersey

Governor Murphy signed critical legislation into law on January 21^st that will help breast cancer patients and survivors in New Jersey afford their medications. A2431 requires insurance providers in the state to offer plans with lower cost-sharing for prescription drugs, providing patients with more affordable treatment options so they can focus on getting well instead of on out-of-pocket costs.

Thank you to our advocates that took action! Thanks to you, New Jersey women won’t have to make the choice between paying for their medications or paying for food.

General Public Policy & Advocacy Updates

We're Hiring!

We are searching for a Regional Manager, State Policy and Advocacy (Northeast Region). This position will serve as a subject matter expert, supporting and promoting Susan G. Komen’s public policy and advocacy initiatives related to breast cancer and public health policy in the Northeast Region. The Northeast Region includes Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia.

Please feel free to share with partners, grantees, friends and others that might be interested in applying.

Make Your Voice Hear

The Cancer Support Community is working together with other advocacy groups to use common language when discussing genetic tests and cancer. As part of this effort, we are interested in learning about people's understanding of, and preference for terms used to describe genetic testing. You can help us by taking this brief (5-7 minute), anonymous survey. We will use the results to help guide our initiative.   Click the button to fill out this survey. We thank you for your participation.

Take the Survey Here!

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November ADVOCACY INSIIDER from the Susan G. Komen Foundation

November Updates Federal Public Policy & Advocacy Updates Komen Comments on Male Breast Cancer: Developing Drugs for Treatment In late August, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a draft guidance entitled, “Male Breast Cancer: Developing Drugs for Treatment.” The draft guidance provided an opportunity for Komen to submit feedback on proposed recommendations on the development and labeling of cancer drugs, including biological products, for the treatment of male patients with breast cancer. The draft guidance also recommended the inclusion of male patients in clinical trials of breast cancer drugs. You can read Komen’s comments to the FDA here. Stage IV Stampede & Twitter Takeover On October 11th, Komen joined METAvivor for its 2019 Stage IV Stampede on Capitol Hill. The Stage IV Stampede is part of a grassroots effort to bring volunteers from across the country to Washington, DC, to advocate for advancing medical research and improving access to quality health care for individuals impacted by metastatic breast cancer (MBC). This year Komen Advocacy Advisory Taskforce member, Kelly Shanahan joined us for a Twitter Takeover while she visited with Congressional members and their staff. Kelly shared her story of what it is like living with MBC and how legislation such as the Cancer Drug Parity Act can help patients access the line of treatment they need. Thank you to Kelly for sharing her story! Appropriations Last month the House and Senate failed to come to an agreement on spending bills for the next fiscal year and passed a continuing resolution (CR) that extends current funding levels until November 21st, meaning Congress has just a few more weeks to negotiate spending bills for fiscal year 2020. Unfortunately, it appears they are no closer to a deal than they were a month ago and it is likely they will need to pass another short-term CR to avoid a shutdown. As a reminder, the main points of contention between the House and the Senate continue to be the top-line funding levels for each of the 12 bills, also known as the 302(b) allocations. Specifically, the Labor-HHS bill—which includes funding for breast cancer research, screening and treatment programs—will be especially challenging because the Senate Republicans would like to divert $5 billion from its allocation to building a border wall. Congressional and White House leaders met earlier this week and it appears they are on the same page about not wanting to pass a long-term CR when the current one expires later this month. They are considering drafting another CR for a few months in hopes they could reach agreement on bills for the rest of the year.  The leaders from both parties said they will continue negotiating and hope to have the appropriations process wrapped up by the end of the year. State Public Policy & Advocacy Updates Ohio Advocates gathered at the Ohio Statehouse on Wednesday, October 23rd for the 3rd MBC Day of Action to thank legislators for hard fought expansions in access to and funding for Ohio’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Project. Additionally, they asked for support of newly introduced patient protection legislation in Ohio and advocated for expansion of Ohio’s BCCP Medicaid Treatment Program. Advocates held more than 25 meetings with key members of the legislature to educate them on the needs of BCCP patients. During the meeting, the “Tori Geib Courage in Action Award” was introduced, honoring Tori Geib, an MBC advocate who has been living with MBC for more than three years. This award was given to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine for all he has done to increase access to health care for breast cancer patients. Texas Thanks to all of our Komen Advocates who got out there and voted "yes" for Proposition 6. The Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) has been funded for another 10 years! Texas is the second-largest funder of cancer research in the nation, thanks to CPRIT, a groundbreaking cancer research and prevention program. Since its founding, CPRIT has provided cancer prevention and treatment services to thousands of Texans who otherwise would do without, funding more than 5.7 million prevention services for Texans in all 254 counties and creating 110,000 jobs in the state. Thank you to everyone who voted "yes" to keep this life saving program funded! General Public Policy & Advocacy Updates Advocate Spotlight – Susan Brown Susan Brown, M.S., R.N. is the Senior Director of Education and Patient Support at Susan G. Komen Headquarters, where she has worked for more than 15 years! Prior to becoming involved in Komen Advocacy, Susan’s experience in advocacy was through voting. She wanted to play a larger role when she learned more voices mean more impact. Susan is passionate about advocating for breast cancer research funding, support for clinical trials and trial enrollment, coverage for diagnostic services and insurance issues. Susan’s advice to anyone wanting to get more involved in public policy and advocacy would be, “Do it. Learn and listen from those with more experience. Then model what you have learned and pass those learnings and experience to others.”

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Advocacy Request from the ACS

	In 2019, Louisiana ranked 50th in state health rankings. This low ranking can be attributed to the prevalence of tobacco use and the lack of strong tobacco regulations in addition to barriers that Louisianans face when trying to access adequate medical care. That’s unacceptable. We need your help to change Louisiana’s dismal health status.  Join us on Thursday, December 5th from 12:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Pennington Biomedical Research Center to learn more about how we can work together to improve our cancer outcomes in Louisiana.Our agenda includes panel discussions featuring key stakeholders and health care policy experts. RSVP today! The event is free but space is limited. Everyone must register to reserve a spot.  I hope to see you on December 5th in Baton Rouge Alice Williams ACS CAN Louisiana Grassroots Manager Contributions or membership payments to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc. are not tax deductible

Send to a Friend | ACS CAN | Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy Please don't reply to this email. It is sent from an unmonitored mailbox. Click here to contact ACS CAN. American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network 555 11th St, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20004 1.888.NOW.I.CAN