State Advocacy in 2019

In childhood cancer advocacy we often look to Washington.  But many issues affecting children with cancer and their families are best addressed, with more impact, at the state and local level.  

There are scores of childhood cancer advocates working in state capitals pushing for better treatments, access and care for patients, families and survivors.  To support those advocates Children’s Cause is focusing attention and resources on their efforts and encouraging you, your family, neighbors and community to help them in their campaigns.  In this section, we’re highlighting state legislation, pending bills, resources and models to help give state advocates the ammunition needed to add your voice to existing efforts – or to start one of your own.

Don’t know who to contact in your state?  Let us know and we’ll help offer direction; either with an organization that is working on an initiative or connecting you with other advocates in your state.

To offer some inspiration and get you started, below you’ll find a listing of measures that have been pushed by other childhood cancer advocates as well as pending legislation, a listing of state legislative web sites and some sample materials. 

The State Childhood Cancer Agenda - A Sampling:

Some of the issues that have been advanced by childhood cancer advocates at the state level offer great templates to improve the outcomes and survivorship of patients:

PENDING LEGISLATION - STATE LISTINGS:

The following are some noteworthy bills pending in state legislatures that have a direct or related impact on childhood cancer research, access and support.   More bills will be added as the legislative sessions progress and if you hear of any others that you think are important, please let us know so we can post them!

Legislative Web Pages for Fifty U.S. States and D.C.

State & Local Proclamations

By encouraging state and local government officials to issue or pass proclamations in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, it demonstrates to the community a commitment to raising awareness about the vulnerabilities of children in your area diagnosed with childhood cancers, access to quality treatment, and the lifelong challenges for survivors.

Thanks to the  Coalition Against Childhood Cancer (CAC2); the information below includes tips to help draft and promote a state or local Childhood Cancer Awareness Month proclamation.

What To Do

Contact Public Officials… before drafting a proclamation to designate September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in your area.  

Research current interests and support to emphasize prominent allies, local institutions, hospitals, clubs, Chambers of Commerce or authorities who can speak to the importance of such a proclamation.   If possible, try to engage someone who is passionate about our cause or try to generate passion for the issue as a result of your outreach. As you go through the process, continue to incorporate these partners in your effort.  Copy them on emails with the governmental office.  Solicit their ideas and contributions.  They will be much more likely to share in the pride of the accomplishment and distribute more widely. 

Remember that many public officials can issue a proclamation, including:  

• Governors

• Senators and Representatives

• State Legislators

• County/City Council Members

• Mayors  

Lead Time

Since Childhood Cancer Month is in September – and since many legislatures and city governments are not in session during the summer months – it is best to contact public officials at least three months in advance, as most will require at least a month prior to your targeted event to publicize the proclamation.  The months of February through May is an ideal period to make your requests.

How to Request a Proclamation  

Two key methods:

• Look on the website for the office, which often outlines the procedure you will need to follow.

• Write a letter or send an email to initiate correspondence with an official’s communications office, and follow up with a phone call.

In either case, it is good to include an explanation for the critical need to observe Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and when possible detail scheduled local activities, and discuss the importance of the office’s support for this annual event. Explain that it’s a simple way for the government to recognize the impact of the number one disease killer in the country.

Once the office confirms that the official might support Childhood Cancer Month and issue a proclamation, it’s time to start writing and supply them with the proclamation.  

Writing the Proclamation  

Two main styles are commonplace in today’s proclamations: traditional and modern.  

Traditional proclamations begin with a series of statements starting with the words “whereas,” which detail the current state of affairs and suggest the reasoning behind the proclamation. Each clause notes the problems or issues being addressed and is followed by a concluding phrase beginning with “therefore,” which specifically requests the support or action needed.  

Modern proclamations are written in a letter format. They highlight the same points as a traditional proclamation, but are written as statements. Samples of both formats are included at the end of this document.  

You can request a copy of a local proclamation from the mayor/government office. It may be helpful to review how others have drafted other proclamations or incorporated local information. 

Use the following checklist when drafting and submitting a proclamation:  

• Determine the official’s preferred writing style (traditional or modern), examine other  
     proclamations by the office and cater to the style.

• Offer a draft of your desired proclamation.

• Insert local information or statistics that will resonate with community members. If any local press has been generated in the past year, include copies of the articles.

• Follow up frequently to check the status of the proclamation.

Publicize the Proclamation

After the proclamation has been issued, publicizing it will bring more attention to an awareness campaign, and generate momentum for the national campaign locally. Be sure to send it into local newspapers with a letter-to-the-editor.  If you have an event, inquire to see if itcan be announced at city/county meetingsahead of time.  If possible, arrange for a press conference or town-hall meeting and have local officials sign or present the proclamation.

At times, the press event can be accompanied by a roundtable discussion on issues related to childhood cancer. panelists include medical professionals and service providers, families touched by childhood cancer, children currently in treatment, young adult survivors.

Once the proclamation is approved, ideally by the first week in September, visit government buildings, local businesses, health clubs (especially if they have a kids center), libraries, hotel lobbies, schools, hospitals, urgent care facilities, pediatrician offices, daycares to see if they will allow you to display copies of proclamations and other awareness materials.  

Arrange to have the proclamation featured in a local publication or local area news Facebook page to increase awareness. Distribute electronic copies of the document to the local or metro desks of local newspapers, along with a press release to announce the signing of the National Childhood Cancer proclamation and include a sample of a short article that can be used.

Remember to let us at Children’s Cause know, so we can share with other organizations and coalitions.  Cumulative recognition across the country in this way speaks a very loud message of the national concern for this important issue.  

If you are denied a proclamation, always write a letter of gratitude for consideration. Set goals during the upcoming year to have influential persons in your area prepare letters of support for a proclamation for you to submit with next year’s request. These types of letters can communicate the level of awareness and concern in your area, which can pique an official’s interest. 

And if you need any help, be sure to let us know at info@childrenscause.org

SAMPLE LETTER REQUESTING A PROCLAMATION: 

[Date]

Honorable [Name]

[Official Title]

[Mailing Address]

Dear [Name]:  

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This month provides an excellent opportunity for our [City/County/State/School] to demonstrate its support in recognizing that childhood cancer touches the lives of those who live in our community. Of those diagnosed, approximately 20% of our children will die and 60% will survive challenged by life-altering conditions. Childhood cancer doesn’t discriminate by race, economic level, or region.  

Currently families in our area are struggling with this reality, with even more families providing aid and support for our families in need. We cannot ignore the #1 disease killer of our children. Recognition of this month is a wonderful opportunity to educate the public [or students] of the reality of childhood cancer and its impact on our children, our families, our community.  

[Your organization – or members of your community] would be honored if you would sponsor an official proclamation to recognize September as [City/County/State/School] National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Your proclamation would lend official recognition to the important work of educating the public, as well as emphasize your personal commitment to help support your constituency. I have enclosed a sample proclamation which may help your office compose the appropriate proclamation for our [City/County/State/School].

[Insert the following paragraph if you are sponsoring a public awareness event.]

[List of organizations] are sponsoring [describe event] on [day] at [time] at [location]. We hope you will attend this special event to present your proclamation. If you are unable to attend, we ask that you or your official representative read the proclamation to our supporters on [day of the event].  

If you, or your staff, have any questions concerning the request, the sample proclamation, or National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, please call me at [telephone number]. I will follow-up with your office on this request in the next few days. As always, we appreciate your support for National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and helping care for our children in need, to help them to survive, and help them to thrive throughout their lives. Thank you for consideration of this special request.

Sincerely,

[Name]

[Title]

Enclosure