Advocate Spotlight: Philip, Vicky and Branan Share Their LIVESTRONG Day Stories
 WASHINGTON, D.C., DELEGATE SHARES HIS LIVESTRONG DAY EXPERIENCE
 TEAMING UP IN PENNSYLVANIA FOR A LIVESTRONG DAY LOCAL EVENT
WASHINGTON, D.C., DELEGATE SHARES HIS LIVESTRONG DAY EXPERIENCE
Philip Lee, motivated by his personal battle with cancer as a caregiver, served as a delegate from Washington state last year for LIVESTRONG Day in Washington, D.C. Since then, he has remained active in his local community and worked to establish continued dialogue between his representatives and the Seattle cancer community.
LAF: Why did you want to participate in LIVESTRONG Day last year?
PHILIP: After a seven-year battle with a rare kind of liver cancer (carcinoid), I lost my wife more than three years ago. She also had breast cancer and Hodgkin's when she was younger. The experience taught me a lot about the need for cancer education and for greater funding for cancer research and social support. I have been a community volunteer for many years and strongly believe that any kind of social or political change has to begin with individual action. So when I learned that the Lance Armstrong Foundation was initiating LIVESTRONG Day to educate Congress on cancer related issues, I was eager to get involved.
Living with cancer can be a lonely and overwhelming experience. I was fortunate to have support from family and local organizations that helped me and my daughter through the difficult times. I want to continue to be an advocate to ensure that others can have the same support.
LAF: What have you done since meeting with your representatives at LIVESTRONG Day 2006?
PHILIP: Immediately after LIVESTRONG Day in Washington, D.C., I wrote follow-up letters to my senators-Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell-and my congressman-Dave Reichart, to thank them for the meetings and provide them with additional information on cancer-related issues in Washington state. I also offered to host a meeting for them to meet with cancer patients and medical professionals at Gilda's Club Seattle, where I am a board member. Both senators wrote back with thank you letters, but I did not receive a reply from my congressman.
Since then, I have focused my efforts on my state representatives. I helped organize a legislative day when several members of the Washington state legislature, including the Chair of the Health and Wellness Committee, came to the Gilda's Club Seattle clubhouse and met with cancer survivors and health care advocates. I have since corresponded with these state representatives as well as others to establish a continual dialogue between them and the cancer care community.
I also had the opportunity to attend the LIVESTRONG Summit in 2006. The Summit was extremely inspirational in helping me see how personal action can make a difference. I am currently producing a podcast on cancer-related issues such as racial disparity in medical care, emotional support, and breast cancer research. I feel that podcasting will provide a new way to educate the public on cancer-related issues, provide a more personal touch and share information in a way that can be easily related.
Unfortunately in the past year, I have also met many people affected by cancer, and I have referred them to seek information and support through the LAF.
LAF: Why is it important to make cancer and cancer survivorship a national priority?
PHILIP: Unless we make cancer survivorship a national priority, it will be set aside by politicians, lost to other competing concerns. Cancer affects one of out of every three women and one out of every two men. The number of lives it affects is staggering. I feel that the national cancer policy has become complacent and lacks urgency. It is only through a continual advocacy effort that politicians will take the necessary action quickly and effectively.
LAF: A lot of people think that one person can't make a difference but obviously you do. Why do you think that you can make a difference in the world of cancer survivorship?
PHILIP: Cancer is not an abstract idea to me. I lost my wife to cancer after living with it for seven years. My father also has battled cancer twice. I feel I can articulate the need and urgency for better cancer care and research through personal experience and compassion.
LAF: What would you say to encourage others to get involved?
PHILIP: Don't wait! Too many people are affected by cancer and new cases are only increasing every day. It is only through education, research, and better medical and emotional care that cancer can be defeated.
Do you have a cancer advocacy story that you would like to share with the LAF advocacy team? If so, please email us at advocate@livestrong.org. We would love to hear from you.
TEAMING UP IN PENNSYLVANIA FOR A LIVESTRONG DAY LOCAL EVENT
Both Branan Cooper and Vicky Darden of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, wanted to organize a LIVESTRONG Day local event last year. Since both were planning events for cancer survivors in their area, they decided to combine their efforts to host one big event. Together, they planned an event for children with cancer and their families to relax and have fun.
LAF: Why did you become an advocate?
VICKY: I became an advocate because of my personal connection to the disease and because I want to make a difference. Cancer has affected many of my family members, and awareness and involvement in the community is extremely important.
BRANAN: I, too, have had friends and family members (including my dad, who is a prostate cancer survivor) affected by cancer. I also thought it was an appropriate gesture to combine my passion for cycling into a cause that could make a difference in the fight against cancer.
LAF: What did you do to celebrate LIVESTRONG Day?
VICKY: Branan and I held an event for children with cancer and their families. The day's festivities included a visit to Dutch Wonderland (an amusement park), a train ride on the Strasburg Railroad and a free family dinner at a local restaurant.
LAF: What did you like best about being a local event organizer?
BRANAN: Being part of a bigger initiative on LIVESTRONG Day was important, but my favorite part was getting to watch these kids - who have gone through some awful things - get to be "regular kids" for a day and really enjoy themselves!
LAF: What would you say to encourage others to get involved?
VICKY: You will never regret it because it is an unbelievable experience. The most important thing to remember is that one person can make a difference, and you are that one person.
BRANAN: It doesn't always take a lot of effort. It doesn't require going out of your way. It just requires you to get involved. Everyone can make a difference and each action adds up to make a bigger impact.
Do you have a cancer advocacy story that you would like to share with the LAF advocacy team? If so, please email us at advocate@livestrong.org. We would love to hear from you.
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