 There is an African Proverb that says if you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together. The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Legislative Action Network (LAN) prides itself on choosing to go far, together. To do this, we work with a wide variety of coalition groups and other advocacy organizations, one of which is the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). This year, the Dana-Farber LAN has teamed up with ACS CAN to advocate for state legislation that would ensure equitable access to biomarker testing in Massachusetts. Biomarker testing ensures that a patient diagnosed with cancer (or other diseases) gets the treatment that is right for them. Each person’s cancer has a unique pattern of biomarkers. Biomarker testing is a way to identify those unique genes, proteins, and other substances in order to provide essential information that care teams can use to develop treatment plans. This means that biomarker testing has the power to help a patient and their care team create the most effective cancer treatment plan for them; this is known as precision medicine. Currently, not all patients with a cancer diagnosis in Massachusetts have access to biomarker testing. Without equitable access to biomarker testing, patients cannot access the best therapy for their cancer’s specific biomarker. In some cases, health insurance may cover precision medicine but not the biomarker test itself. That is why the Dana-Farber LAN is joining with the ACS CAN at their in-person Lobby Day at the Massachusetts State House, Wednesday, June 21 at 11 AM to help advance biomarker testing legislation. Register Here for the ACS CAN Biomarker Testing Lobby Day on June 21 A lobby day provides a special opportunity to go far together by visiting the State House, connecting with other advocates, and sharing your story with the people who represent you -- your State Representative and State Senator. By joining ACS CAN Massachusetts for State Lobby Day on June 21st, you have the opportunity to share your story and help ensure patients experiencing cancer have equitable access to biomarker testing. ACS CAN has an impactful program planned for advocates, including (but not limited to) issue briefings, social media activities, and time for you to meet with your legislators to advocate for the biomarker testing legislation. No advocacy experience is required to attend this event! ACS CAN will provide you with virtual training opportunities before the event, and schedule your meetings for you - - and the team from the Dana-Farber LAN will be at the State House on June 21 to support you as well. All you need is the passion to make an impact in the fight against cancer. Register Here for the ACS CAN Biomarker Testing Lobby Day on June 21 If you have any questions, reach out to the ACS CAN team: julia.seremba@cancer.org or marc.hymovitz@cancer.org. If you cannot attend this event, you can still take action by clicking here, sharing your story, and asking your State Representative and State Senator to support the biomarker bill by signing on as a co-sponsor. Thank you for your continued advocacy and for being a part of the LAN community, as we go far, together. |