2020 Virtual Advocate Leadership Summit
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 2020 Virtual Advocate Leadership Summit! Your dedication helped make this Summit, held under such challenging circumstances, a great success. We could not have done it without you.
This year’s program included an array of exciting plenary sessions featuring some of the leading voices in breast cancer research and advocacy. Drs. Otis Brawley, Lisa Newman, and Alexandra Shields joined NBCC advocate Valencia Robinson in a powerful discussion about the causes and impacts of breast cancer disparities. Drs. Cyrus Ghajar, Keith Knutson, and Alana Welm presented on their work with NBCC’s Artemis Project and how the research inspired by this program is leading the way on important breast cancer developments, including exciting progress on a preventative vaccine.
Summit participants attended important skill and knowledge-building workshops via Zoom. They heard from Capitol Hill staffers on important topics, such as how to engage elected officials and how to effectively use social media and online tools in their advocacy—skills put to immediate use during the first-ever Virtual Lobby Day! Advocates also learned how to navigate the complicated Department of Defense appropriations process.
On the science front, Dr. Alana Welm gave two informative talks on the models used to study breast cancer and Dr. Steffi Oesterreich and advocate Leigh Pate presented on the unique biology of lobular breast cancer.
Dr. Jennifer Guerriero conducted a Project LEAD workshop on immuno-oncology and how researchers are learning to tap into a patient’s own immune system to detect and destroy cancer cells. This session explored our current understanding of the complex interactions between cancer and the immune system and the development of improved treatment options for patients with cancer.
Dr. H. Gilbert Welch discussed the paradox of breast cancer screening and mortality rates. While screening may detect small tumors earlier, it does not result in a substantial decline in the detection of late-stage cancers or mortality rates.
Dr. Kenneth Kinzler presented a session on how liquid biopsies are being studied as a way to identify breast cancer even earlier, which triggered an extensive discussion about the current limitations of such an approach, however impressive the underlying technology and scientific expertise that has gone into developing the technology.
Despite the virtual format, participants were able to connect with one another through Zoom networking sessions, which provided an opportunity to share ideas and make social connections with other advocates.
Thank you again to everyone who joined us for the Summit. You truly made this event a success, and we look forward to seeing you all in person again next spring!
Tell us your NBCC Advocacy Story
NBCC Advocates are fierce! Through training, education, and networking, NBCC Advocates have influenced policy on both the local and national levels, pushed for access to healthcare for all, and supported research focused on ending breast cancer. We are focused on the day when breast cancer is over and done. Impossible? We don’t think so.
We are part of NBCC for a reason, and that reason is different for each of you. You may be a survivor or the family member of someone who has breast cancer or has lost their life to breast cancer. Or, another reason entirely. We need your stories. Why are you an NBCC advocate? We want to share your advocacy story with others so they, too, can become a catalyst in our fight to end breast cancer. Let them know it is not only possible to change the world, but that each one of us can help make that happen.
Measuring the Evolution of the Impact of the Coronavirus on the Breast Cancer Community
Even if you responded to prior NBCC surveys, we are asking you to help us share the Breast Cancer and Coronavirus survey with your network, so that NBCC can assess the impact of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) in real-time.
On an ongoing basis, NBCC is working to determine what public policies we should be focusing on to make certain the needs of the breast cancer community are met. We need your help and would like to hear more about the challenges breast cancer patients and caregivers are facing because of the pandemic, including accessing care in their community.
Please click here to answer this quick survey. We will analyze and publish the results to determine what policy steps NBCC can take moving forward.
Last Chance to Double Your Donation by Midnight Tonight!
Thanks to the generosity of the Vance Wall Foundation who has donated an additional $50,000 matching grant, our campaign continues. The Foundation agreed to match all donations made to NBCC through June 30 (up to $50,000). Donate today and your contribution will be doubled and have twice the impact on our work!
With the support of our donors, the National Breast Cancer Coalition continues to bring together experts and visionaries to reframe the scientific approach to breast cancer with a focus on saving lives and knowing how to end breast cancer. And, while NBCC represents hundreds of organizations, it is individual donations, like yours, that support our most essential efforts in the areas of education, training, policy, and research.
