Increasing money for research was only a part of the advocates' strategy. We wanted a say in how it was being spent! The next plan involved a petition campaign to deliver 2.6 million signatures to the White House representing the number of women in the US with breast cancer. The petition demanded a National Action Plan on Breast Cancer and the boxes of petitions lined the East Room of the White House while President Clinton met with 200 women representing advocates from across the Nation. It was an awesome experience. President Clinton convened a meeting to set a national strategy including advocates at every level.

Advocates believed that more money for research would attract more investigators to examine the cause and cure of breast cancer. The money from the Department of Defense created the DoD Peer Review Research Program where advocates participate with scientist on proposal review and integration panels designing the categories for funding as well which research proposals will receive the funds. As a result, thousands of new investigators are now involved in breast cancer research and a total of $1 billion has been allocated since 1993.

Women of all ages, all ethnic backgrounds and levels of education and economics are diagnosed with breast cancer. Science still does not know what causes breast cancer or how to cure it, but they are getting closer. And the advocacy movement continues to grow. As some women die others are diagnosed and take up the cause.

We will succeed. We have to. It's our legacy.

You can learn more about this effective advocacy movement by visiting the website www.stopbreastcancer.org. The Rhode Island Breast Cancer Coalition encourages individuals concerned about the epidemic proportions of breast cancer (national, 2.6 million* have the disease and locally, 24,000** women have breast cancer and 800*** new cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2001) to call toll-free 800-216-1040 for information how you can join their efforts.

*National Breast Cancer Coalition
**Rhode Island Department of Health
***American Cancer Society

Marlene McCarthy, H.L.D., is co-founder and volunteer chair of the Rhode Island Breast Cancer Coalition. Diagnosed with breast cancer 14 years ago, she serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for the National Breast Cancer Coalition. She has been an integral participant in the breast cancer grassroots advocacy movement since 1991. This story is her first-hand account of the events initiating the National Breast Cancer Coalition. McCarthy also serves on the Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Cancer Council.

(Part 2 of a two-part series - Click here for Part 1)

For more information and answers to specific questions contact the Rhode Island Cancer Council at Tel@ricancercouncil.org or call us at (401) 728-4800 or toll free 866-879-4100.

IT IS EASIER TO PREVENT CANCER THAN TO TREAT IT.

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