Advocacy

What is Advocacy?

Advocacy is speaking up, drawing a community’s attention to an important issue, and directing decision-makers toward a solution.

Advocacy is working with other people and organisations to make a difference.

Advocacy recognises the experience of the individual can indicate a problem with the system and help to bring about system change.

Effective advocacy requires a range of skills including assertiveness, the ability to manage change, communication skills, media skills, team building, persistence, patience and a thick skin!

(Source: Research Matters Newsletter of The South Australian Community Health Research Unit, Oct 2007 http://som.flinders.edu.au/FUSA/SACHRU/newsletter.htm)

Why is advocacy important to people affected by cancer?

Advocacy can:

support change to health care policy which will benefit people with cancer.
change community attitudes and misconceptions.
assist people to gain equitable access to resources, services and financial support.
assist individuals to have control over their situation by providing support and information.
ensure that individuals have a voice and that it will be heard.
ensure there is recognition of the rights of people affected by cancer.

(Source: Cancer Voices Qld *http://www.cancervoicesqld.org.au/advocacy/what_is_advocacy.html)