Advocacy

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has!” – Anthropologist Margaret Mead

Cancer Voices SA is a consumer advocacy organisation that represents the views of South Australians whose lives have been affected by cancer.

Why is advocacy important to people affected by cancer?

Advocacy can:

• support change to health care policy which will benefit people with cancer,
• change community attitudes and misconceptions.
• assist people to gain equitable access to resources, services and financial support.
• assist individuals to have control over their situation by providing support and information.
• ensure that individuals have a voice and that it will be heard.
• ensure there is recognition of the rights of people affected by cancer.

There are two types of advocacy:

1. System advocacy focuses on influencing and changing the system so that people with cancer as a whole will benefit. System advocacy includes consumer representation on committees, working parties and advisory groups, policy and law reform activities, media releases, publications and cancer awareness training.

2. Individual advocacy focuses on the individual and assists families to resolve issues which are relevant to them or their family.

(Source: Cancer Voices Qld "What is advocacy" )

What does System Advocacy involve?

• Advocacy is speaking up, drawing a community’s attention to an important issue, and directing decision-makers toward a solution.
• Advocacy is working with other people and organisations to make a difference.
• Advocacy recognises the experience of the individual can indicate a problem with the system and help to bring about system change.
• Effective advocacy requires a range of skills including assertiveness, the ability to manage change, communication skills, media skills, team building, persistence, patience and a thick skin!

(Source: Research Matters Newsletter of The South Australian Community Health Research Unit, Oct 2007)

Advocacy Training

2-day advocacy training is run by a partnership with the Cancer Council SA and Cancer Voices SA. Courses will be held in March and November 2009. Contact info@cancervoicessa.org.au for more details.

Advocacy Resources

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (US) - a survivor-led advocacy organisation.

Leading the way to better laws -- "The Cancer Council NSW runs an advocacy training program so that community members can take action for lasting solutions to cancer control and treatment issues. Long lasting and equitable solutions often involve a change in public policy, and are enacted through legislation or regulation."