One of my friends wrote this about the Reach The Day event. I figured I couldn't have done any better so she allowed me to copy it and share it here. I am not sure that all the links will work but we will see? Thanks Kathi
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I really wanted to write about was the CureSearch Reach the Day event in WA DC that I just returned from. I hope you all will consider going to WA DC for Reach the Day next year to tell your story and make yourself heard. It is VERY empowering to go tell our children’s stories and ask for funding, to feel like possibly you are making a difference in whether we get the funds for research or not. Or if you cannot go, there are things you can do from here that will help as well, more about that later. We had about 470 people in attendance this year, representing 36 states. Attendance was almost doubled from last year! Of course good that more of us are coming together to fight our cause, but of course bad because new children are being diagnosed every day. There are no rules as to who can come….children, friends, family….we had doctors, child life specialists, nurses, etc. Anyone who cares about our children!

I took my niece’s story along with other children’s stories to 5 meetings with my state’s lawmakers. I also took the petition signatures from the state of WA. The petition signatures for the state of WA were about 750, but some states had thousands. This tells our state’s lawmakers that people in their state care about this issue…and THEY WORK FOR US! If you’re not familiar, the petition is here, please help us get more signatures, or if you want the signatures from you state to send to your lawmakers let us know :

Petition

The first night there we had a PAC2 (People Against Childhood Cancer) get together. There were probably 40 of us and it was really great to meet so many I’ve “met” through our great community! I urge those of you that did attend either comment here or start your own discussion, blog to talk about your experience...we can all learn from each other and share with others.

Then we started our meetings. Since it was my first time I attended a “newbie” meeting. We learned about the history and organization of CureSearch and how they Support COG (Childrens Oncology Group). COG consists of over 5,000 physicians, nurses and scientists at over 200 hospitals. They collaborate on research and focus mainly on clinical trials. You can find more info here:
About CureSearch

The other way we get funding for research is through NIH/NCI. Every 5 years COG has to do a grant application for that funding. In 2003 COG requested 54 million. They only received 28 million. The amount received has been declining ever since. In 2007 COG received 26 million dollars.

As most of you know, it was a big victory last year when the Caroline Price Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act was passed authorizing Congress to give 30 million dollars a year for 5 years for childhood cancer research and a national registry. BUT what we were asking for in our visits is for it to be FULLY FUNDED. Just because the bill was passed does not necessarily mean it will be funded…especially given our current economic situation. Just to give you an idea, the federal proposed budget for 2010 is $3.55 trillion….so really 30 million is a drop in the bucket!!

Another Announcement made at Reach the Day is the formation of the first Pediatric Cancer Caucus -- members of Congress dedicated to conquering childhood cancer -- and the congressional proclamation that September 12 is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day. It is important that our lawmakers be involved in this caucus.

So what can you do, you ask…..you can help! Please make a phone call or send a note to our lawmakers! Tell them how important it is for them to fund the Caroline Price Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act. Tell them to join the Pediatric Cancer Caucus .
Tell them your story or tell them childhood cancer is the #1 disease killer of our children and the longer we take to do our research the more children die. Find your lawmakers here:
Locate your Lawmakers

Here are some facts for you:
Childhood Cancer Facts

I know for some of you this information is not new, but unfortunately we have new members every day that are not aware. I hope this information has helped some of you and I Hope I have all the facts straight, they came from my notes….:) If not please feel free to correct me. I hope all of you will consider joining CureSearch for Reach the Day 2010, and in the meantime keep checking in here at PAC2 to see what you can do to help…it may be an email, a letter, a phone call…just do something!!! You will be glad you did.