Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Day 1 - OVAC

30 States. 40 Cancer-related organizations in 1 Coalition. One voice against cancer (OVAC). 

Day 1 was filled with hours of training and meeting with our local state groups. Our California group was awesome. We had our first meeting with Sen. Dianne Feinstein yesterday afternoon. 

She took the time to hear our issues and was extremely supportive. Our ask?

1. $5.26 Billion for NIC FY15
2. Stop the decline of NCI funding. Raise the budget proportionately to that of the NIH. 
3. $510 Million for CDC cancer prevention, early detection & screening programs. 

Last night, I slept 2 blocks from the Capitol of a powerful nation that I know can make cancer a priority. 

We also had the opportunity to present her with the OVAC Cancer Champion 2014 award.

1.6 Million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and prevention, early detection, drug development, and nursing education play a very important role. 

Have your #CancerVoice heard. Contact your congressmen/women & ask for the 3 things above. ONE VOICE. 





Monday, July 7, 2014

One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC)

It's true. This blog got a wee bit dusty over the past year. It was a tough one in my own personal world for a variety of reasons. The loss of my best friend, Doc JPP, being the major reason. There is a time for everything...and sometimes that means taking time for myself. 

I'm back this year with a renewed sense of purpose & a mission to ensure we do our best in the fight against cancer. He was my support in my 3x battle with cancer as a young adult, and I know he'd want me swinging for the fences again. So here I am. :) 

This week, I step into a new realm. Instead of fundraising and awareness...I'm heading to Washington, DC as a cancer fighting survivor advocate as a delegate for the LIVESTRONG Foundation. I'll be here July 7 & 8 to talk to our congress reps about increasing federal funds for cancer research & prevention, and FDA approval process. 

Am I intimidated by Capitol Hill? A bit. But, they are all people too, and I hope Rep. Darrell Issa, Rep. Scott Peters, Sen. Barbara Boxer & Sen. Dianne Feinstein are willing to hear my story. As a cancer survivor and someone with a career in biotech/pharma, with medical nurses in my family...I hope they have open hearts and minds. 

Please join me virtually, and all the other delegates of @OVACInfo by using the hashtag #cancervoice & copying @OvacInfo @LivestrongAdv on them. Let's let them hear our voice as ONE!! 

Great LIVESTRONG Blog Post about this week:

Lance Armstrong's "Tour de France" Dedication to Julie

A great reminder that I had armies of support beside me in my fight. (Thanks, Lance!) Even with the recent media, this video isn't about the bike...but the fight against cancer. LIVESTRONG!

Stage 2 Dedication: Julie Westcott -- powered by http://www.livestrong.com

Guinness World Record Broken to Fight Cancer

We *Heart* Our Fans

Cures Rock! on Facebook

Donate & fight to kick cancer to the curb!

500 Miles. 17 days. 2 States. 1 Mission to Cure Cancer.

500 Miles. 17 days. 2 States. 1 Mission to Cure Cancer.
January 1 - 17, 2010
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