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CPAT Virgie Townsend

Guest Post: I Must Advocate for Improved Quality of Life for Cancer Survivors

December 2, 2016/in Cancer Policy Blog Care Planning, Quality Cancer Care, Shared Decision-Making NCCS News /by actualize
Virgie Townsend at the 2016 CPAT Symposium

Virgie Townsend at the 2016 CPAT Symposium

Guest Post by Virgie Townsend
Advocate, Caregiver, and NCCS CPAT MemberI am the mother and caregiver for my son who was diagnosed with biphenotypic leukemia in March of 2011. Being there for my son gave me a first hand look at what cancer survivors go through. I think most of us have been touched by cancer in some form. We might have experienced it with a family member, friend, co-worker or even ourselves. My experience left me knowing that I could no longer be passive while cancer was active in my son’s life and others. I knew I had to jump in the ring and fight back, but I was unclear how.

Attending the NCCS Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT) Symposium in June of 2016 was a game changer for me.  It allowed me to focus and gave me direction. As we prepared for Hill Day, I thought I would be nervous or intimidated. To the contrary, hearing the stories of survivors and other advocates ignited me.  On Hill Day I met with my representatives’ staffers to urge them to support the Planning Actively for Cancer Treatment (PACT) Act.  NCCS staff said they could feel my passion as I shared my personal story to illustrate the critical need to improve care coordination and care planning.

From this point on I knew that I must advocate for improved quality of life for cancer survivors. Since then, I became a member of the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) Medicine’s Patient and Family Advisory Council and UAB Medicine’s Speakers Bureau. I also attended the American Association of Cancer Researchers’ (AACR) Disparities Conference and did a poster presentation.

I am so thankful that I attended the CPAT Symposium. It changed my life.

Read more about my experience as a caregiver on AACR’s Official Blog »

Tags: Cancer Survivorship, care planning, caregivers, PACT Act, Survivor Stories, video post
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  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Our History
    • Our Leadership
      • Policy Advisors
    • Employment
    • Partnerships
    • Financial Information
  • Policy
    • Quality Cancer Care
    • Access to Care
    • Health Equity
    • Redefining Functional Status (RFS)
    • 2020 State of Cancer Survivorship Survey
    • Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act (CCPCA)
  • Get Involved
    • What is Advocacy?
    • Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT)
    • Elevating Survivorship
    • Survivor Stories
    • Cancerversary
    • State Based Cancer Advocacy
  • Resources
    • Survivorship Checklist
    • Cancer Survival Toolbox
    • Telehealth
    • Publications
      • Talking With Your Doctor
      • Self Advocacy
      • Employment Rights
      • Remaining Hopeful
    • Taking Charge of Your Care
    • Care Planning for Cancer Survivors
    • Tools For Care Providers
    • COVID-19 Resources for Cancer Survivors
    • Order Our Resources
  • News
    • Cancer Convos Podcast
  • Events
    • Ellen L. Stovall Award
      • 2020 Stovall Awards
      • Honorees
      • Sponsors
      • Committees
      • Reception
      • Nominations
    • Cancer Policy Roundtable
      • Fall 2020 Cancer Policy Roundtable
      • Spring 2020 Cancer Policy Roundtable
    • Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT) Symposium 2020
    • Webinars
  • Contact Us

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Harmar Brereton, MD

Founder
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute

 

“Perhaps one of the most impactful collaborations in Dr. Brereton’s extraordinary career remains his early work and long friendship with Ellen Stovall. Through him, and in turn through the thousands of lives he has touched, Ellen’s work continues, and her mission lives on.”

—Karen M. Saunders
President, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute