Kidney Cancer Advocacy Days
Spring 2022
In 2016, Congress allocated $0 in funding dedicated to kidney cancer research. Through the power of advocacy, we have raised that number to $135 million in five years.
On March 7–8, our Spring Advocacy Days event was held, and we asked Congress to continue funding lifesaving research for kidney cancer patients.
We need people like YOU to join us at our next event!
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!
We provide training with Advocacy 101, a detailed guide to help you know what to expect and how to talk to your representatives about kidney cancer research funding. You will receive a meeting schedule, talking points, scripts you can use if you would like, and leave-behind documents.
If you have any questions, please reach out! We welcome anyone with a passion for accelerating cures for kidney cancer. Contact our Legislative Patient Advocacy Lead, Debra Beyhan, at [email protected].
Spring Advocacy Days 2022 by the Numbers
Advocates
Meetings
States
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This money isn’t a given. We’ve had to fight for it, year after year. In this video, Dr. Andrew Smith, a kidney cancer researcher from the University of Alabama, explains the impact of this funding on his work and the state of Alabama.
When you meet with Congress, you’ll help them understand the impact of kidney cancer on people’s lives and the urgent need for a cure. Join us and make your voice heard!
Join Our Grassroots Army
Join Us!
On #GivingTuesday, we are asking for your support as we continue the work to accelerate cures for #kidneycancer.
When you give to KidneyCAN:
• You are pushing for kidney cancer research funding.
• You are bringing together the world's best researchers to propel collaboration and breakthroughs.
• You are providing direct support to patients and caregivers.
• You are connecting patients to clinical trial opportunities.
When you give to KidneyCAN, you are giving HOPE to more than 79,000 Americans per year who are diagnosed with kidney cancer.
You are giving TIME to patients living with advanced cancer and finding new paths for treatment.
This holiday season, please continue to support our work by making a donation.
https://kidneycan.org/donate-now/
Season of Inspiration: Bruce shares how he stays active doing the things he loves.
"When I was first diagnosed with #kidneycancer in 2017, I was 46 years old and still playing soccer. I had been a lifelong soccer player and played all the way into my 40s. When I lost a kidney to nephrectomy, I realized the risk was a little too high to play a contact sport like soccer.
"I decided to retire from playing but I really wanted to still be on the soccer field and be part of the game. So what I thought about was refereeing. I went a took a class and got certified and became a soccer referee. I referee now on weekends, primarily youth soccer in leagues and tournaments, and I really enjoy still being part of the game.”
Hear more from Bruce, who is a true inspiration for living well and staying active while facing kidney cancer! Bruce shared his tips in a #KidneyCANDID video earlier this year (https://youtu.be/kdnWclM6694), and he spoke at our recent Facebook Live webinar on staying physically active: https://youtu.be/vS5VyVPJTzk
Support KidneyCAN and the patients and caregivers in our community on #GivingTuesday: https://kidneycan.org/donate-now/
Season of Inspiration: Debbie shares how her family is the support that keeps her going as she deals with #kidneycancer.
"When times got hard, I turned to God, and I believe He put my support team in charge. My husband, children, siblings, nieces, and great-nieces stepped up to the call. My grandchildren give me a reason to fight; watching them grow up is truly a blessing."
Support KidneyCAN and the patients and caregivers in our community on #GivingTuesday:
https://kidneycan.org/donate-now/
Season of Inspiration: Our friend Tom tells us what inspires him:
"My world blew up in January 2019 when I was diagnosed with #kidneycancer. After surgery, I had hoped to join an adjuvant trial but was disqualified due to considerable progression in a few short months, so I began systemic treatment.
"After almost three years on meds, I have been on a break for nearly seven months. Like many people, I found it hard to stay positive, but throughout this chapter in my life, my wife has been a lifeline of consistent optimism. She attends every visit with my oncologist and has patiently listened to me during my wild emotional rants for the past three and a half years."
Support KidneyCAN and the patients and caregivers in our community on #GivingTuesday:
https://kidneycan.org/donate-now/
Season of Inspiration: What keeps you going on tough days?
Theda shares: "Living with #kidneycancer keeps me living more aware of my mortality and more thankful to be
experiencing life each day."
Thank you for being part of our community! Support KidneyCAN and patients and caregivers on #GivingTuesday:
https://kidneycan.org/donate-now/
KidneyCAN is celebrating #GivingTuesday by kicking off a Season of Inspiration. Living with #kidneycancer is a challenge in the best of times, and the holidays can be especially tough.
We asked our patient and caregiver community to share what inspires them and will share their stories in the days ahead. Our friend Chuck tells us:
"People ask me all the time -- as a person living with advanced, stage IV cancer, how do you get through the day? For me, it's easy: FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE ... the greatest of these is certainly LOVE. How can it not be when I am surrounded by the blanket of love that I am every day? #BLESSED."
Support KidneyCAN and our community of patients and caregivers on #GivingTuesday: https://kidneycan.org/donate-now/
#livingwithcancer #inspired #faithhopeandlove
This afternoon! We are partnering with @NationalKidneyFoundation to discuss physical fitness during and after your treatment for #kidneycancer.
We'll have experts ready to answer your questions!
Join us on Facebook Live, YouTube, or Twitter to catch the feed at 2:00 pm ET.
Link in stories: https://fb.me/e/29q84MSDI
This afternoon! We are partnering with @NationalKidneyFoundation to discuss physical fitness during and after your treatment for #kidneycancer.
We'll have experts ready to answer your questions!
Join us on Facebook Live, YouTube, or Twitter to catch the feed at 2:00 pm ET.
Link in stories: https://fb.me/e/29q84MSDI
We were in DC today!
KidneyCAN, as part of the American Urological Association's #KidneyCancer Impact Alliance, joined our friends with Joey's Wings Foundation and the VHL Alliance to ask Congress to fund lifesaving kidney cancer research.
Our ask? $60 million in funds dedicated to #acceleratingcures for this disease.
#teamwork
"Many cancers, including kidney cancers, have built-in defenses that allow them to repel the human immune system’s attacks. Immune checkpoint inhibitors help thwart these defenses. 'If you think of a tumor’s defense against an immune attack as barbed wire, this class of immunotherapy drugs aims to cover the barbed wire and allow the immune system to do its job,' [Dr. David McDermott] explains."
Time Magazine recently highlighted the latest breakthroughs in #kidneycancer treatment. Check it out!
Great to see our friends David McDermott (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center), Nizar Tannir (MD Anderson), and Martin Voss (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) featured!
link in stories: https://time.com/6227200/kidney-cancer-treatment-advances/
