C3 Advocates LIVESTRONG in Columbus

The Lance Armstrong Foundation inspired and empowered 1,000 delegates to travel to Columbus, OH and support the Foundation’s efforts to make cancer a national priority…I was one of them.

The Summit took place July 24-27 at THE Ohio State University campus. Registration was the first step to the Summit. There we learned of our breakout sessions and were given LIVESTRONG yellow shirts to wear. They were catchy with “Vote Yellow” on the front and a definition on the back which read:

“Vote Yellow” ”(vot • yel-o)

(1. n. An expression of choice made by 12 million cancer survivors and their loved ones. 2. v. To declare one’s opinion that our leaders should make cancer a national priority. 3. n. A philosophy believing it unacceptable to lose 560,000 Americans to cancer each year. 4. n. LIVESTRONG!™

Marilia Sardinha, another C3 advocate, and I met up shortly after registration at the hotel grill. We ate dinner and then headed over to the Mershon building where the opening reception was held. There was a sea of yellow shirts but I didn’t realize the impact of those shirts until we reached the Ohio Statehouse. There was yellow everywhere! Joe Arite, C3’s Director of Policy, was easy to spot. I guess he didn’t get the memo on dress code!

The first night’s activities included the second LIVESTRONG Presidential Town Hall. Lance came out and welcomed the ARMY. He talked about the war on cancer that we are fighting and the significance of the 1500 American lives that are lost to it each day. He introduced the moderator of the event Paula Zahn.

It was now Senator John McCain’s turn to speak to the delegates about what his strategy was going to be to fight the war on cancer. He was questioned by Lance and Paula about how he planned to reform our Health Care System and to reverse the downward trend of funding for organizations like the National Cancer Institute. Paula Zahn held firm to the line of questioning, often reiterating questions when the answers didn’t hold sustenance, such as when Senator McCain pledged to increase funding to the National Cancer Institute as president, but wouldn’t commit to an exact amount. Senator Obama was also invited to the event, but was unable to attend. We were assured though the same questions would be asked to him at a later date.

We were proud to represent C3, who was one of the sponsors of the event, and be part of so many people from around the country that are uniting to bring cancer to the forefront. The breakout sessions throughout the weekend were fabulous and we learned about the power of words and messaging, produced a commercial, and had mock congressional visits. Inspiring speakers were involved too, and included Dr. Bernadette Healy, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Dr. E. Gordon Gee, Stefanie Spielman, Dr. Richard Carmona, and Dr. Harold Freeman.

The Summit gained national media coverage. Motivated team leaders from around the country came together with inspired delegates to share their passion, commitment, and enthusiasm for a battle that has touched every American.

LIVESTRONG