How You Can Help Get Involved - Become a member of a cancer advocacy organization such as the National Association of Cancer Patients. Be an active member by supporting their advocacy programs with your actions and your contributions. Be sure the organization you join is doing advocacy for cancer research. There are many organizations that call themselves cancer advocacy groups that are really extended support groups, not furthering the cause of research at all or only a little. There are some organizations that claim to be cancer charities that do little for cancer patients. Spread the word - Public awareness of the impact of cancer and the modest effort this country is making compared to other budget items. Spread the word to your friends when the subject of cancer comes up. The truth of thematter is that Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Only heart disease kills more people. Cancer causes as many deaths each year as the total number of deaths from all other causes except heart disease. AIDS, murder, suicide, accidental deaths, and all other causes pale in comparison to cancer. In response to news reports and articles about cancer, write letters to the editor explaining the need for more research funding. Go to support groups for cancer and be sure that cancer patients realize the need for more research funding. Get Smart about Cancer Advocacy - Collect information about cancer research from government and organization reports, from their web sites, from the media, and analyze the data to make some sense of it. Check for News Items About Cancer - Respond to them with your comments and bring the item to the attention of others or spread the word about upcoming cancer media events. Write to Your Government ôEmployeesö - Send messages to the President, to your Senator, to your Congressman, to your Governor, and to your state legislators urging them to support increased funding for cancer research. Your messages will add to the ever growing pile of messages they receive. California and New York have cancer research programs and other states may have them as well or be convinced to start one. These are some suggestions on how anyone can help. Not everyone can participate in all these activities. Cancer patients that are in the midst of fighting their disease may have little time, energy, or motivation to do advocacy, but they can create awareness of cancer among their friends and family. Family can and often do become effective cancer advocates, too. If you want additional help or suggestions, contact us here at NACP and we will gladly provide additional information.