Advocacy 101: Be a Citizen Expert First and Lobbyist Last
It is inevitable that advocates will need to talk to politicians. Congressmen and senators need to be aware that the people, whom they serve, have problems that can not be solved with out government involvement. Advocates can rally public sentiment by being the expert about a problem and provide a solution. Advocates should not be lobbyists first. They should be citizen experts first and foremost.
more suggestions for citizen experts

American Association for Cancer Research
AACR provides money for cancer research, education and communication to eliminate cancer as a major disease. They focus on research leadership, educating researchers as well as enhancing communication within communities.
http://www.aacr.org/default.aspx

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is the non-profit, non-partisan sister advocacy organization of the American Cancer Society. ACS CAN is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major public health problem through voter education and issue campaigns aimed at influencing candidates and lawmakers to support laws and policies that will help people fight cancer.
http://www.acscan.org

American Pain Foundation
Founded in 1997, the American Pain Foundation is an independent nonprofit 501(c)3 organization serving people with pain through information, advocacy, and support. Our mission is to improve the quality of life of people with pain by raising public awareness, providing practical information, promoting research, and advocating to remove barriers and increase access to effective pain management.
http://www.painfoundation.org/

American Urological Association
AUA provides professionals and patients with the latest in urology research and care. They have an extensive library and numerous publications on their website.
http://www.auanet.org/index.cfm

Asian American and Pacific Islander American Health Forum
The Asian American and Pacific Islander American Health Forum is a nonprofit organization focusing on increasing awareness and policy for the health of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. Their website contains a links to a number of their programs and advocacy information.
http://www.apiahf.org/

Association of Oncology Social Work
As advocates, Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW) and its members are dedicated to increasing awareness about the social, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of cancer patients through conferences, research, writing, workshops, and lectures.
http://aosw.org/html/advocacy.php

C-Change Collaborating to Conquer Cancer
C-Change is comprised of the nation's key cancer leaders from government, business, and nonprofit sectors. These cancer leaders share the vision of a future where cancer is prevented, detected early, and cured or is managed successfully as a chronic illness.
http://www.c-changetogether.org
C-Change Access to Cancer Care Library
http://www.c-changetogether.org/library/

CancerCare
CancerCare provides services such as counseling, education and financial assistance to those who are affected by cancer. The organization is a national nonprofit made up of skilled oncology professionals.
http://www.cancercare.org/
A Helping Hand Resource Guide
http://www.cancercare.org/get_help/assistance/helping_hand.php

CancerPlan.org
The focus of CancerPlan.org is to provide information, resources and tools to aid officials in developing comprehensive cancer control plans. Their website provides resources that can be accessed either through category or by state.
http://www.cancerplan.org/

Dia de Mujer Latina, Inc.
The goal of Dia de Mujer Latina, Inc. is to provide the Latino community with a good source of information about local hospitals and community organizations. They also provide cancer screening and other tests free or at low cost. Their site includes advice to the Latino community regarding health care and information about their events.
http://www.diadelamujerlatina.org

Kaiser Family Foundation
A leader in health policy and communications, the Kaiser Family Foundation is a non-profit, private operating foundation focusing on the major health care issues facing the U.S., with a growing role in global health.
http://www.kff.org/
Kaiser Network
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/
State Health Facts
http://www.statehealthfacts.org/
Kaiser Education
http://kaiserEDU.org/
Global Health Reporting
http://www.GlobalHealthReporting.org/
Global Health Facts
http://www.GlobalHealthFacts.org/
Health 2008
http://www.health08.org/

Lance Armstrong Foundation
The Lance Armstrong Foundation focuses on bringing people together in the fight against cancer. The organization provides information for people to get access to care, prevention and quality of care for cancer survivors.
Get Involved

LegisLink Action Center
LegisLink Action Center is a community education service of US Oncology providing educational and advocacy resources for America's cancer care community.
http://www.legislink.com/

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
The NAACP hosts many resources for minorities including a page about minority health programs that they are encouraging.
http://www.naacp.org/advocacy/health/index.htm

National Association of Social Workers
The National Association of Social Workers is dedicated to providing social workers with a comprehensive plan to establish standards for all social workers. Their website provides publications, press releases and extensive information about social advocacy.
Advocacy Section
http://www.socialworkers.org/advocacy/default.asp

Oncology Nursing Society
ONS is a professional society of nurses, educators and other professionals who seek to provide excellence in care, education, research and administration where oncology is concerned. Their website provides information materials for both oncology professionals and for patients. They have a legislative action page and a media information resource.
Advocacy Tips
http://www.ons.org/lac/tips.shtml

One Voice Against Cancer
One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC) is a collaboration of national non-profit organizations representing millions of Americans which delivers a unified message to Congress and the White House on the need for increased cancer-related appropriations. The Intercultural Cancer Council Caucus is an OVAC Member.
The OVAC Legislative Agenda
http://www.ovaconline.org/legislativeAgenda.asp

Project Vote Smart
Project Vote Smart, a citizen's organization, has developed a Voter's Self-Defense System to provide you with the necessary tools to self-govern effectively: abundant, accurate, unbiased and relevant information. As a national library of factual information, Project Vote Smart covers your candidates and elected officials in five basic categories: biographical information, issue positions, voting records, campaign finances and interest group ratings.
http://www.vote-smart.org

Purdue Pharma L.P. Resources for Pain Advocacy Community
http://www.partnersagainstpain.com/painadvocacycommunity/

Research!America
The Intercultural Cancer Council Caucus is a member of Research!America, the nation's largest not-for-profit public education and advocacy alliance. Since 1989, it has been committed to making research to improve health a higher national priority.
http://www.researchamerica.org

Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Susan G. Komen is a nonprofit targeting breast cancer. They have been advocating research and policy initiatives with the idea that these will eliminate breast cancer as a major disease. The organization’s website provides latest information about breast cancer and cancer advocacy in addition to suggestions about how to get involved in their programs.
http://www.komen.org

THOMAS
In the spirit of Thomas Jefferson, legislative information from the Library of Congress
http://thomas.loc.gov

United States House of Representatives Budget Committee
http://budget.house.gov

Your Congress-Your Health
This website created by members of the Your Congress-Your Health initiative now features a searchable database cataloguing congressional members' responses to 15 questions on health and research issues. The public may search for a specific member by ZIP code, state, or name. To date, nearly one-fourth of the current Congress has responded to the survey.
http://www.yourcongressyourhealth.org/
See where your candidates stand: http://www.yourcandidatesyourhealth.org/