Getting Ready for the ZERO Summit: Virtual Advocacy in 3 Easy Steps January 13, 2021 The past year has been far from normal, and since March, many Americans have now adjusted to life at home. One thing advocacy groups like ZERO have seen evolve this year is how we help our caring constituents become powerful advocates from home – your stories remain as powerful as ever, we just had to find a new way to deliver them. It’s easy to make a difference from the comfort of your couch or home office, and it’s a rewarding way to stay involved in the prostate cancer cause during a tough year. It turns out, prostate cancer didn’t get the memo about slowing down and staying in, and even with the advent of COVID-19, prostate cancer numbers are still on the rise.On Feb. 28, the ZERO Summit goes virtual for the first-time ever! We on the ZERO team are excited to engage in advocacy efforts in a new way, and make the annual gathering even more impactful. While we prepare for Summit, here are a few ways to take your advocacy to the next level, from the safety of your own abode:Get social: Use social media to your advantage! Follow lawmakers’ pages to stay up to date on events, and engage with them on social media. Tweet or comment at them reminding them about any prostate cancer-related policies that need their attention and support. Even just a quick fact about prostate cancer in your state can remind them of the importance of the disease. As the kids say, it’s time to “slide into the DMs” — you never know what good can come of it!Pick up the phone (or email): The staff of your elected officials are still working, even during these difficult times. Call them to let them know you appreciate the work they’ve done to protect prostate cancer patients during this time, or encourage them to consider prostate cancer patients when they are enacting (for instance) a piece of healthcare legislation. Visit the ZERO Action Center for topics and talking points.Penpalpalooza: It’s more important than ever to stay connected and social as we enter a winter of possible lockdowns and isolation. Pull out your postcards, pens, and stamps, and hop on a ZOOM call with friends to have a prostate postcarding party! Send notes to your elected officials asking them to consider supporting the Prostate Cancer Research Program at the Department of Defense – it has contributed directly to the development of 5 new drugs for advanced disease. Be sure to post a photo of your note on social media using the hashtag #ZEROstrong, or email your photo to socialmedia@zerocancer.org. We want to see you take action!If you’re interested in advocating on behalf of the prostate cancer cause virtually, then you definitely don’t want to miss this! From Feb. 28 – Mar. 4, 2021, select advocates will have the opportunity to be involved in virtual meetings with their elected officials, share personal stories, educate officials about the need for support legislation and research funding, and advocate to make prostate cancer a priority on Capitol Hill. Registering for the virtual Summit is easy and FREE — it just takes a few clicks. Sign up at zerocancer.org/summit to take the next step in your virtual advocacy! Questions about what a virtual Summit entails? Email summit@zerocancer.org. About Prostate Cancer Blog Posts Spreading Awareness ZERO Prostate Cancer Summit More for you
The past year has been far from normal, and since March, many Americans have now adjusted to life at home. One thing advocacy groups like ZERO have seen evolve this year is how we help our caring constituents become powerful advocates from home – your stories remain as powerful as ever, we just had to find a new way to deliver them. It’s easy to make a difference from the comfort of your couch or home office, and it’s a rewarding way to stay involved in the prostate cancer cause during a tough year. It turns out, prostate cancer didn’t get the memo about slowing down and staying in, and even with the advent of COVID-19, prostate cancer numbers are still on the rise.On Feb. 28, the ZERO Summit goes virtual for the first-time ever! We on the ZERO team are excited to engage in advocacy efforts in a new way, and make the annual gathering even more impactful. While we prepare for Summit, here are a few ways to take your advocacy to the next level, from the safety of your own abode:Get social: Use social media to your advantage! Follow lawmakers’ pages to stay up to date on events, and engage with them on social media. Tweet or comment at them reminding them about any prostate cancer-related policies that need their attention and support. Even just a quick fact about prostate cancer in your state can remind them of the importance of the disease. As the kids say, it’s time to “slide into the DMs” — you never know what good can come of it!Pick up the phone (or email): The staff of your elected officials are still working, even during these difficult times. Call them to let them know you appreciate the work they’ve done to protect prostate cancer patients during this time, or encourage them to consider prostate cancer patients when they are enacting (for instance) a piece of healthcare legislation. Visit the ZERO Action Center for topics and talking points.Penpalpalooza: It’s more important than ever to stay connected and social as we enter a winter of possible lockdowns and isolation. Pull out your postcards, pens, and stamps, and hop on a ZOOM call with friends to have a prostate postcarding party! Send notes to your elected officials asking them to consider supporting the Prostate Cancer Research Program at the Department of Defense – it has contributed directly to the development of 5 new drugs for advanced disease. Be sure to post a photo of your note on social media using the hashtag #ZEROstrong, or email your photo to socialmedia@zerocancer.org. We want to see you take action!If you’re interested in advocating on behalf of the prostate cancer cause virtually, then you definitely don’t want to miss this! From Feb. 28 – Mar. 4, 2021, select advocates will have the opportunity to be involved in virtual meetings with their elected officials, share personal stories, educate officials about the need for support legislation and research funding, and advocate to make prostate cancer a priority on Capitol Hill. Registering for the virtual Summit is easy and FREE — it just takes a few clicks. Sign up at zerocancer.org/summit to take the next step in your virtual advocacy! Questions about what a virtual Summit entails? Email summit@zerocancer.org.
