|
What's Your Missouri Cancer Agenda for 2009?
Your Missouri American Cancer Society Government Relations team wants your feedback! Let us know what cancer issues are important to you. Click here to let us know your Missouri Cancer Agenda for 2009!
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Fight Back Express is Rolling into Missouri October 16-20, 2008!
You’re invited! The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Netwrok Fight Back Express is coming to Missouri and we need your help to make every stop a success!
This year, the ACS CAN Fight Back Express has been traveling across the country, stopping in hundreds of communities to build the movement to make cancer issues a national priority. ACS CAN will bring the stories of cancer patients, survivors and friends to the presidential candidates to make cancer a priority issue in their administration.
All supporters will have the opportunity to sign a petition calling for access to quality health care for all Americans; email Members of Congress asking them to support laws and policies that help people fight cancer; and sign the bus as a show of support for making cancer a top national priority.
Interested in volunteering when the Fight Back Express comes to Missouri?! Click here to register to volunteer for the Fight Back Express.
We are looking for volunteers who are willing to help with event planning and on site activities!
- Help attendees show their support for the Fight Back Express and its message of hope!
- Talk about the importance of ACS CAN to people signing the bus!
- Take photos with the ACS CANera!
Not able to attend a Fight Back Express stop? No problem! You CAN still fight back! Click here to print off your "Message of Hope" for the Fight Back Express! These messages will travel with the bus as it concludes its nationwide trip leading up to Election Day.
*Mail your completed message by September 24, 2008 to:
American Cancer Society, Attn: Melissa Horn
4207 Lindell Blvd
Saint Louis, Missouri 63108
For photos and more information on the Fight Back Express, please visit http://www.acscan.org/bus
Regional Review! Get the 411 on Advocacy Throughout Missouri!
 As you may know, your American Cancer Society divides our state of Missouri into regions; Eastern, Kansas City/Northern, and Southern Missouri. (see picture, right)
In the Government Relations Department there is a Regional Director for each Missouri Region. Our Missouri Regional Government Relations Directors include; Stacy Reliford (Eastern), Theresa G. Ruiz (Kansas City/Northern), and Katie Towns (Southern).
Each month, everyone across the state will be given the opportunity to see what advocacy activities are occurring in each region and across Missouri.
Eastern Missouri:
|
Regional Government Relations Director-Eastern Missouri, Stacy Reliford |
ACT! Activity
We have a new ACT! Lead for Congressional District 3 Gail Ann Esparza. Gail is a registered nurse and attorney who has a passion for advocating for access to healthcare to those who need it most. Welcome Gail!
District 2 has a new Act!on Chair Bianca Olson. Bianca was recruited by a fellow volunteer and is excited to do more with advocacy. Welcome Bianca!
Smoke-Free
Our coalition, Smoke-Free St. Louis City held their public launch on August 19 and had over 50 supporters join them to release polling results at Peoples Health Centers. The poll, conducted by The Mellman Group, found that 61% of St. Louisans support a smoke-free ordinance that includes bars, restaurants and casinos. More than 80% agreed that all workers should be protected from the dangers of secondhand smoke. The event was on NBC, FOX and CBS news in St. Louis and also on KMOX 1120 FM and KLOU 103.3 FM To see the poll results and press release, http://www.smokefreestl.org/
Breathe Easy Hannibal has gathered over 600 supporter names in favor of smoke-free workplaces quite a feat for a city of 18,000! This group meets twice a month and is committed to educating their community on the dangers of secondhand smoke. To learn more, check out their great new website: http://www.behannibal.org/
If you or anyone you know is interested in getting involved with the smoke-free initiatives in these communities, please contact me at Stacy.Reliford@cancer.org . Thank you!
|
The Fight Back Express Schedule for Eastern Missouri |
|
October 19th @ 5:30 p.m. USA Drug in Farmington, MO |
|
October 20th @ 10:00 a.m. in St. Louis (location TBD) |
|
October 20th @ 6:30 p.m. Wentzville (location TBD) |
KC/Northern Missouri:
|
Regional Government Relations Director -KC/Northern Missouri, Theresa G Ruiz |
Smoke-Free
The KC/Northern Missouri region is definitely on full-speed ahead mode. We have numerous developments underway. As things progress, I will update you with information. Recently, we have had activity on both sides of the stateline in the Kansas City area. With the recent passage of comprehensive smoking ordinances in Mission and Prairie Village, Kansas we are closer to making the KC Metro area smoke-free. The following MO Cities have smoke-free developments:
Belton, Gladstone, Grandview, Liberty, Moberly, Parkville, and Riverside
If you or anyone you know is interested in getting involved with the smoke-free initiatives in these communities, please contact me at Theresa.G.Ruiz@cancer.org . Thank you!
|
The Fight Back Express Schedule for KC/Northern Missouri |
|
October16th @3:30 p.m. in KansasCity (location TBD) |
|
October 18th @ 9:00 a.m. in Sedalia (location TBD) |
|
October 18th @ 2:00 p.m. in Jefferson City (location TBD) |
|
October 18th @ 6:00 p.m. in Columbia (location TBD) |
Southern Missouri:
|
Regional Government Relations Director for Southern Missouri, Katie Towns |
Smoke-Free
Over the past month I have had the privilege of meeting many dedicated volunteers and members of the community that are passionate about the work that the American Cancer Society is doing in the advocacy arena. Visiting with these communities has given me the opportunity to meet with smoke-free coalitions in the Branson area, Joplin, Cape Girardeau, as well as Springfield. Each of these groups has unique situations and dedicated people as part of their respective groups that will surely lead to success! As we continue to build capacity, we need supporters in the community that would like to be a part of the smoke-free movement. Please contact me if you would like more information about becoming a part of these coalitions.
As we move into a new fiscal year, we are looking forward to the possibilities that exist to spread the word about ACS CAN and the need for advocacy. We are looking forward to opportunities to shed light on the issues of access to healthcare, smoke-free work, and recruiting more volunteers when the Fight Back Express rolls into town!
If you or anyone you know is interested in getting involved with the smoke-free initiatives in these communities, please contact me at Katie.Towns@cancer.org . Thank you!
|
The Fight Back Express Schedule for Southern Missouri |
|
October 17th @ 8:00 a.m. in Joplin (location TBD) |
|
October 17th @1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. in Springfield (locations TBD) |
|
October 19th @1:00 p.m. in Cape Girardeau (location TBD) |
MISSOURI LEGISLATORS FIGHT BACK BY SIGNING THE STATE CANCER PROMISE
Currently, in Missouri, we are asking citizens to let their state legislators know that cancer is a priority in our state. The State Cancer Promise outlines our proposed plan to increase access to health care through prevention, early detection, and treatment of cancer in our state.
Take Action TODAY, by printing the State Cancer Promise and delivering it to your Missouri State Representative and Missouri State Senator to let them know that you care about cancer issues in Missouri! Ask them to sign on and support our cause by signing the Cancer Promise.
*Not sure who your Missouri Legislators are? Click here to find out!
2008 State Cancer Promise Signers (as of September 5, 2008)
Missouri Representatives Missouri Senators
John Patrick Burnett, District 40 Joan Bray, District 24
Rachel Bringer, District 6 Rita Days, District 14
Mark Bruns, District 113 Tom Dempsey, District 23
Bruce Darrough, District 75 Kevin Engler, District 3
Bill Deeken, District 114 Tim Green, District 13
Charlie Denison, District 135 Chris Koster, District 31
Joseph Fallert Jr., District 104 John Loudon, District 7
Sally Faith, District 15 Rob Mayer, District 25
Tony George, District 74 Luann Ridgeway, District 17
Belinda Harris, District 110
Steve Hodges, District 161
Steve Hunter, District 127
Michele Kratky, District 65
Albert Liese, District 79
Jenee Lowe, District 44
Beth Low, District 39
Danielle Moore, District 20
Charlie Norr, District 137
Sam Page, District 82
David Pearce, District 121
John Quinn, District 7
Brad Robinson, District 107
Ed Schieffer, District 11
Tom Shively, District 8
Michael Spreng, District 76
Neal St. Onge, District 88
Rachel Storch, District 64
Terry Swinger, District 162
Steven Tilley, District 106
Michael Vogt, District 66
Gina Walsh, District 69
Juanita Walton, District 81
Jim Whorton, District 3
Billy Pat Wright, District 159
Jake Zimmerman, District 83
Clint Zweifel, District 78
Once your legislators have signed the State Cancer Promise, return the original signed copy to the address below. With your help, we will gain the support we need to make cancer a priority in the "Show Me" State!
Melissa Horn
Grassroots Advocacy Manager-Missouri
American Cancer Society
High Plains Division
4207 Lindell Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63108-2928
| 
