Melanoma Patients, Donna and Carla, Visit Capitol Hill to Lobby for Research Funding
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Melanoma patients have a special bond. The weekend of March 12 and 13 we, Donna and Carla, were offered the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. with the Melanoma Research Foundation. Saturday night offered us the opportunity to bond and spend time with other melanoma patients, advocates and caregivers. Sunday we spent in training to sharpen our advocacy skills, communication and learning about the Surgeon General's Call to Action to prevent skin cancer and Skin Smart Tan Free Campus Initiative. We were also able to learn from other advocates that had attended the previous years sessions.
Carla (left), Donna (middle) and our friend (right) On Monday, we had a quick legislative briefing and learned what to expect on Capitol Hill by meeting with legislators or their correspondents. We divided by states and headed to our meetings. Pennsylvania had a large group of 12 advocates, including patients, caregivers and a pediatric melanoma patient. We met as a group with the Senator Toomey and Senator Casey.
Our main objectives were to increase or continue department of defense funding for melanoma research, lobby support for the FDA proposed rule on tanning bed restrictions, melanoma specific language to be included under National Cancer Institute (NCI) sections of the Fiscal 2017 LHHS appropriations bills and for the CDC to increase Skin Cancer Prevention activities.
We also met one-on-one with Office of Representatives staff and assistants to discuss the above agenda.
Monday afternoon and evening left us with tearful goodbyes with new friends, old friends and memories that will last a lifetime. We are so grateful to have met everyone despite our circumstances.
