Lung Cancer Advocacy Opportunities

Being a lung cancer advocate is very important, but it does not always look the same for everyone. An advocate is a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy.¹

Creative ways to fundraise

There are many lung cancer foundations or non-profits. My favorite is the Lungevity Foundation but there are many to choose from. People choose to become advocates by joining forces with those already in the fight. This includes taking part in a sponsored 5k, participating in a fundraising event or gala, participating in a zoom or webinar put on by the organization, or the many ways to fundraise. People can raise funds simply by starting a fundraiser via their Facebook profile. Kids can help raise funds by having a lemonade stand in the summer. There are many creative ways to fundraise.

Participating in a support group

Another way someone can be a lung cancer advocate is by starting or joining a support group. Support during a cancer diagnosis is crucial as it can ease minds and give hope. A support group can be set up with your cancer hospital or local community center for in-person sessions but also online. Many lung cancer patients find great connections with those via zoom or other web camera programs. Facebook is also a wonderful platform to start a lung cancer support group.

Building a support network

For me, lung cancer advocacy looks like one-on-one support. I have spoken with people all over the world from Israel, the Philippines to Australia.

I remember when I was first diagnosed, I really wanted to relate to someone who had been in my shoes. I signed up for Imerman angels and was introduced to a 35-year-old survivor who had also been diagnosed at 30. I felt this connection was invaluable because it showed me that yes there were people also diagnosed young and she was 5 years from diagnosis. I still speak with newly diagnosed survivors via email and messenger.

Attending conferences and events

Attending lung cancer conferences can be considered advocacy. In the time of in-person conferences I learned how to be an advocate at the Lungevity Hope Summit in 2017 and from that started writing in my personal blog about my experience with lung cancer.

Conferences give you information on the different types of lung cancer, treatments, and how to manage this disease.

The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program

The final way that I will highlight is how you can become a lung cancer advocate by volunteering with the Department of Defense. In the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) volunteers or consumer reviewers review grant proposals.

According to the department of defense website, the vision of this program is to eradicate deaths and suffering from lung cancer to better the health and welfare of Service members, Veterans, and the American public. One must be nominated for this program by an advocacy organization.

What does advocacy look like to you?

In summary, lung cancer advocacy is not one size fits all. Some people choose to go full speed ahead and be very vocal advocates, some choose to be more silent advocates, and some choose to live their lives and not advocate at all.

It truly is up to you on the degree to which you advocate.