Quick Guide to the Spectrum of Advocacy

In Triage Cancer's free Quick Guide to the Spectrum of Advocacy, you'll learn about personal advocacy, community advocacy, organizational advocacy, media advocacy, scientific advocacy, policy advocacy, and legislative advocacy.

Personal Advocacy

• Advocating for yourself
• Ex: Researched your treatment options, got a second opinion, worked out a reasonable accommodation with an employer, filed a health/disability insurance appeal, engaged in education or support activities for yourself (e.g., support group), etc.

Community Advocacy

• Advocating for other individuals, or for your community
• Ex: Spoke at an event, became a helpline volunteer or lay navigator, helped a friend or family member through their diagnosis, conducted community outreach and education, shared information with your health care providers, etc.

Organizational Advocacy

• Advocating for a cause-related organization
• Ex: Became a volunteer or intern, raised funds, hosted or attended an event, etc.

Media Advocacy

• Advocating through social media platforms
• Ex: Wrote a blog, article, opinion editorial, gave an interview, shared information on social media, participated in a tweet chat, etc.

Scientific Advocacy

• Advocating for science or research
• Ex: Reviewed grants for an organization or agency (Department of Defense), advocating for increased research funding, joined an organization’s scientific advocacy efforts (Komen), attended a training (e.g., Project LEAD), sat on a hospital’s institutional review board (IRB), etc.

Policy Advocacy

• Advocating for a new or changed policy
• Ex: Met with a local, state, or federal agency about policy, joined an organization’s advocacy efforts, responded to an action alert, signed a petition, attended a town hall meeting, wrote comments on regulations, etc.

Legislative Advocacy

• Advocating for new or changed legislation or propositions
• Ex: Got to know your elected or civic officials, joined an organization’s advocacy efforts, responded to an action alert, signed a petition, attended a town hall meeting, attended a district meeting, attended a state or federal lobby day, etc.

For more information, see our Cancer Advocacy Materials & Resources.

Disclaimer: This handout is intended to provide general information on the topics presented. It is provided with the understanding that Triage Cancer is not engaged in rendering any legal, medical, or professional services by its publication or distribution. Although this content was reviewed by a professional, it should not be used as a substitute for professional services. © Triage Cancer 2021

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