Advocacy - Be Heard!

The Connecticut Challenge was founded in 2005 to address the lack of resources available to Cancer Survivors here in the State of Connecticut, and to help develop resources for cancer survivors to help them live longer, happier and healthier lives. 

Since that time, the Connecticut Challenge has founded, in partnership with the Yale Cancer Center, the Connecticut Challenge Survivorship Clinic at the Yale Cancer Center, and has expanded its support through the Connecticut Challenge Survivorship Network, to survivorship programs at hospitals around the state as well as survivor support programs in local communities. 

In order for truly comprehensive survivorship programs to be commonplace across Connecticut, there is a need to build awareness of the issues survivors and their familes face, and to translate the awareness of issues, into action. 

Speaking Out

The Connecticut Challenge encourages survivors to speak out about the issues important to them, to make their lawmakers aware of the needs of survivors, and what action can be taken to help ensure that Survivors get the help they need to maximize their opportunities for long-term health, well-being, and quailty of life.

Tools for Becoming An Effective Advocate

The Lance Armstrong Foundation has published an excellent Advocacy Primer you can download here. 

Congress.org is an online resource with excellent tools to help you become an effective advocate. Topics on their website include:

• The Legislative Process
• Visiting Capitol Hill
• Write a Letter to Your Local Media (features a zip code search that will show you all media outlets in your local area)
• Communicating with Elected Officials
• Congressional Staff
• State Leaders

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