Nearly every month the state and federal legislation vote on issues pertaining to breast cancer. It could involve funding of mammograms or cancer treatment, research dollars, hospitalization stays for breast surgery, and many others issues. It is critical that we let our legislators know we want them to support these issues, and to fund research to eradicate this disease.

Iowa Breast Cancer Edu-action is a local organization dedicated to advocacy and education. It is a subcommittee of the Beyond Pink TEAM. Visit their website to learn more at www.iowabreastcancer.org or contact Christine Carpenter at 319-266-0194.

The Iowa Breast Cancer Advocacy Network is available to notify you when a call to your legislator is needed. Advocacy Alerts are sent out by e-mail. Your only responsibility is to read the alerts and respond as directed. Your voice can make a real difference, and it is free! E-mail Christine.Carpenter@cfu.net to join.

The Beyond Pink TEAM is an organizational member of the National Breast Cancer Coalition. This grassroots organization is dedicated to eradicating breast cancer. Several of our committee members are individual members, and attend the NBCC Advocacy Conference and Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. annually. We learn so much at the conference, and then get a chance to meet with our Iowa Senators and Congressmen on Lobby Day. We represent all women and men who have had breast cancer or may get it in the future. More advocates are needed, so visit www.stopbreastcancer.org to learn more,

The Beyond Pink TEAM offers scholarships to their members to attend the NBCC Advocacy Conference and Lobby Day. If you are not able to attend, but would like to support our efforts to get more research funded, consider making a donation for our scholarship fund. Checks made out to Cedar Valley Cancer Committee may be mailed to Barb Daniels, 1607 Heath Street, Waterloo, IA 50703. Donations are tax deductible.