Advocacy Opportunities

Ways to Get Involved

Welcome to NCCS’s Advocacy Opportunities page, your go-to resource for staying informed about the latest engagement opportunities in the cancer community. Whether you are a patient, survivor, caregiver, or advocate, there are many ways you can get involved and make a difference.

This page provides a list of upcoming events, webinars, conferences, and advocacy campaigns from NCCS and other leading cancer organizations. From policy initiatives and surveys to educational webinars, there are opportunities for everyone to get involved.

At NCCS, we are committed to providing resources and support to those who want to make a difference. Whether you are looking to volunteer your time, share your story, or advocate for change, we are here to help.

Browse our list of advocacy opportunities today and find your perfect way to get involved.

NCCS EVENTS

Survivorship Champions Webinar. Multi-Cancer Early Detection Tests. Otis Brawley, MD, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor, Johns Hopkins University, NCCS Board Member. Stacey Tinianov, MPH, BCPA Patient Advocate, Executive Director, Advocated for Collaborative Education.

The Promise and Challenges of Multi-Cancer Early Detection Tools (MCED)

Virtual Webinar

This insightful webinar discussion explores the groundbreaking field of multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tools. As advancements in technology and biology open new avenues for cancer screening, the potential to detect multiple cancer types at earlier stages is both promising and complex.

Survivorship Champions Webinar. Family Building and Cancer. Megan Scherer, Executive Director, Worth the Wait. Elizabeth Constance, MD, Director of Fertility Preservation and LGBTQ+ Health Services, Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine. Canceradvocacy.org

Family Building and Cancer

Virtual Webinar

Being diagnosed with cancer at a young age could mean your future fertility is at risk. In this educational webinar for cancer patients and their care teams, we discussed what young cancer patients need to know about fertility preservation and building a family in survivorship, including non-traditional methods like adoption, surrogacy, and embryo donation.

Open Enrollment Webinar: Choosing Health Coverage As a Cancer Survivor

Virtual Webinar

Open enrollment is your opportunity to enroll in or make changes to your health insurance plan. In this webinar, we discussed what cancer survivors should consider in assessing their insurance coverage so you can select the best plan for you.

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES

NIH National Cancer Institute logo. OCS Director's series. NCI Office of Cancer Survivorship Presents: Precision Integrative Medicine for Cancer Survivors. Jun Mao, MD, MSCE, Chief, Integrative Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Frank Licciardi, Chair Emeritus, Patient and Family Advisory Council for Quality Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. January 14, 2025 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET.

Precision Integrative Medicine for Cancer Survivors

Virtual Webinar

January 14, 2025

2:00 – 3:00 PM ET

Join the NCI Office of Cancer Survivorship (OCS) for this OCS Director’s Series webinar on January 14th. Dr. Jun Mao will present Precision Integrative Medicine for Cancer Survivors, and Frank Licciardi will share his experiences as a cancer survivor and advocate.

The intended audience is researchers, advocates, clinicians, and policy makers interested in cancer survivorship.

Reasonable Accommodations: Individuals who need reasonable accommodations to participate in this event should contact Crystal Reed at crystal.reed@nih.gov. Requests should be made at least five business days in advance of the event.

Register here »

NIH National Cancer Institute logo. OCS Director's Series. NCI Office of Cancer Survivorship Presents Waiting Rooms and Lost Days: Measuring the Time Costs of Cancer Care. Rachel I. Vogel PhD, Associate Professor, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Minnesota. Julian Wolfson, PhD, Professor, Division of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, University of Minnesota. February 11, 2025 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET.

Waiting Rooms and Lost Days: Measuring the Time Costs of Cancer Care

Virtual Webinar

February 11, 2025

2:00 – 3:00 PM ET

Join the NCI Office of Cancer Survivorship (OCS) for this OCS Director’s Series webinar on February 11. Dr. Rachel I. Vogel and Dr. Julian Wolfson will present Waiting Rooms and Lost Days: Measuring the Time Costs of Cancer Care.

The intended audience is researchers, advocates, clinicians, and policy makers interested in cancer survivorship.

Reasonable Accommodations:
Individuals who need reasonable accommodations to participate in this event should contact Crystal Reed at crystal.reed@nih.gov. Requests should be made at least five business days in advance of the event.

Register here »

Your Voice Matters! Your Experience with Emotional and Mental Health Support in Your Cancer Journey. For individuals living with cancer and survivors.

Global Survey on Psychosocial Oncology

Survey

Participate in this global survey to better understand the social, emotional, and mental health challenges faced by individuals with cancer and survivors. The goal is to identify barriers and improve the quality and accessibility of essential support services.

Take the survey here »

ViVE Center for Virtual Care Value and Equity logo. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill logo. Are you a breast or prostate cancer survivor in the U.S.? Join our research study: Help UNC discover if AI chatbots give quality, accurate healthcare advice to cancer survivors! One time, 30-minute session. $15 gift card compensation. Scan the barcode or email: vive@unc.edu. Fully online on Zoom. For questions or concerns about your rights as a research subject, please contact the Institutional Review Board at 919-966-3113 or by email at IRB_subjects@unc.edu.

ViVE: Center for Virtual Care Value and Equity

Research Study

Are you a breast or prostate cancer survivor in the U.S.?

Join our research study:

Help UNC discover if AI chatbots give quality, accurate healthcare advice to cancer survivors!

Email ViVE »

University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center: Community-Based Health Equity Research Program – weSurvive Study

Research Study

The University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Community-Based Health Equity Research Program  is testing an innovative program to help rural cancer survivors improve their quality of life by helping them engage in healthful eating and activity habits.

Details: weSurvive is specifically designed for cancer survivors living in rural Appalachia regions or nearby countiesweSurvive was developed due to the disproportionate impact of cancer in rural Appalachia communities, as well as the limited access to evidence-based programs for cancer survivors in the region.

See the study flyer for further details. Scan the QR code or contact Kathleen Porter, PhD via email at kjporter@virginia.edu, or call (434) 235-1112 to learn more and join.

SPAACES: Sustaining Physical Activity After Cancer Exercise Sessions

Research Study

Join the SPAACES study to help researchers understand the best way to help maintain a physical activity routine.

The aim of this study is to examine the feasibility and effects of a 12-week maintenance intervention on physical activity levels six months after completing a community-based exercise oncology program. Research will consist of physical assessments, activity monitoring, questionnaires, exercise and discussion sessions, and an optional focus group.

Three months after the program ends, you will be recontacted to participate in a three-month physical activity maintenance intervention, for a total study participation time of 9-months. There will be a total of four study visits, and they will take place at or near the location of the community-based exercise oncology program that you participate in and/or virtually.

You may be eligible if:

  • Planning to participate in STAC, BfitBwell, or Fit Cancer programs
  • You have been diagnosed with any type of cancer
  • You have completed primary cancer treatment within the past 5 years

There is no cost to participate and you will be compensated for your time to participate in this study. You will also receive study branded items such as a water bottle and tote bag.

Learn more.

Staying Connected through Communication Survey

Paid Online Survey/Research

Paid online survey about communication experiences – for US residents only

Staying Connected through Communication Survey

The University of Washington SPEAC Lab is inviting individuals who have had a total laryngectomy to answer survey questions about their communication experiences. Participants are invited to nominate at least one family member, friend, or coworker to also answer survey questions. People with total laryngectomy and their family / friends / coworkers will complete SEPARATE surveys. Your participation will help healthcare providers support people with laryngectomy and the important people in their lives to stay connected through communication. This is an online survey study that will take about 30-45 minutes. We can also mail a paper survey if requested.

Each participant will be mailed a $25 check upon survey completion.

To participate, click here: https://redcap.link/stayingconnected
The person with the laryngectomy needs to start first and then nominate their family member / friend /coworker to participate.

For more information, visit: https://sites.uw.edu/speaclab/

For questions, please contact: speaclab@uw.edu

Poor Sleep During Treatment for Blood Cancer: NIH Study

Research Study

Are you receiving treatment for a blood cancer diagnosis and struggling with poor sleep? You may be eligible to participate in a NIH-funded study for blood cancer patients with poor sleep. Dr. Ruben Mesa and Dr. Jennifer Huberty of Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio are conducting a 20-week research study that aims to test a digital health wellness intervention among adult blood cancer patients that are currently undergoing treatment.

Participation involves:
• Completing online surveys
• Wearing a sleep device on index finger and tracking nightly sleep
• Providing 3 blood samples at a nearby lab
• Being randomized to use one of two wellness apps
• Using wellness app 10 minutes per day for 8 weeks

They are looking for US based adults with a blood cancer diagnosis to enroll in a 20 week remote study of an app based wellness intervention. Participants can earn up to $100 for completing all study related measures.

Learn more.

National Cancer Plan

Digital Toolkit

The National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Nation Cancer Plan now has a Digital Toolkit for advocates and advocacy organizations that would like to show support for the National Cancer Plan.

Learn more and get involved here »

American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)

Online Training

Would you like to learn more about American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) cancer survivorship care guidelines? Look no further than the GW Cancer Center’s free, on-line training! It will introduce you to guidelines addressing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy management, fertility preservation, and osteoporosis management in adult survivors with nonmetastatic disease.

Sign up today »

Survey Opportunity — Providers and Adult Cancer Survivors

Survey Opportunity

The University of South Carolina invites you to participate in a study to better understand stakeholders knowledge related to cancer related fatigue. This study is for healthcare providers who treat those with cancer or adults with a current or previous diagnosis of cancer.  The survey will last approximately 5 minutes. Please use the appropriate survey link provided below:

Healthcare provider:

https://redcap.healthsciencessc.org/surveys/?s=EJ38EWJD3NTNXDL4

Adult with a current or previous cancer diagnosis:

https://redcap.healthsciencessc.org/surveys/?s=3YM7CJTK7PFFE4ET