New center promotes advocacy for gynecological cancer patients
OCRA project to push for federal, state, local legislative changes
The Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) launched a project to push lawmakers to enact legislation that will improve the lives of people affected by ovarian cancer and other types of gynecological cancers.
OCRA’s new Center for Public Policy is a dedicated arm of the organization focused on driving legislative changes at all levels of government in the U.S., from local and state policies to national laws. The primary objectives of the new center include accelerating research, increasing awareness, supporting survivors and patients, and enhancing access to high-quality clinicians, medications, diagnostic tools, and clinical trials.
“The Center for Public Policy brings together our federal and state policy work, grassroots advocacy, and new tools like our interactive policy map,” Audra Moran, president and CEO of OCRA, said in an alliance press release. “It strengthens our voice and expands our reach so that every gynecologic cancer patient has powerful representation where decisions are made.”
Interactive map shows legislative efforts
In parallel with the new center, OCRA launched an interactive policy map, which allows members of the gynecological cancer community to explore legislation that the group is tracking in various states. The tool aims to enable members of the public to stay informed about policy discussions and highlight opportunities for community action and advocacy.
“The Center for Public Policy brings together our data, our programs, and our people in a way that’s more strategic and more transparent,” said Chad Ramsey, vice president of policy at OCRA. “Our new policy map, combined with our expanding advocacy programs, will make it easier than ever for people across the country to plug in and help move critical legislation forward.”
OCRA is no stranger to advocating for new laws. The alliance says it is the only national group explicitly dedicated to advocating for people with ovarian cancer and other types of gynecological cancer. Since its inception, the group has hosted more than 2,100 meetings with lawmakers and helped secure more than $3.8 billion in federal research and education funding, and trained hundreds of community members to get engaged in advocacy through its Advocate Leader program.
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