WHO WE ARE: One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC) began in January 2000 as a working group of public health organizations advocating for greater federal investments in cancer research. OVAC has grown into the leading cancer coalition in the nation’s capital representing millions of cancer researchers, physicians, nurses, patients, survivors, and their families.
WHAT WE DO: OVAC is united behind a message of long-term, sustained funding increases for cancer research and prevention on the federal level, especially for the National Institutes of Health, the National Cancer Institute and the Division of Cancer Control & Prevention at the CDC.
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HOW WE WORK: The professional government relations staff of the member organizations of OVAC meet monthly to share intelligence on cancer-related issues in Congress and strategize on how best to work with lawmakers to enhance funding for critical cancer research and programs. OVAC organizes a Grassroots lobby day each year when volunteer representatives of the member organizations come to Washington, D.C. for training on the priority issues and advocacy methods before meeting with targeted Members of Congress and their staffs.
Throughout the year, OVAC organizes activities to promote our advocacy agenda including sign-on letters, Capitol Hill briefings, Online Days of Action, coalition meetings with lawmakers, advertising, and polling on cancer research and prevention funding.
As a united front OVAC:
- Enhances the cancer community’s ability to secure sufficient funds to fight the war on cancer and to help those facing cancer to fight this deadly disease.
- Commits participating members to cooperative efforts that increase understanding of the need for both cancer research and control programs.
- Harnesses the synergy of volunteers from multiple organizations in delivering a powerful message to policy makers.
ONE VOICE AGAINST CANCER (OVAC) is a collaboration of national non-profit organizations representing millions of Americans, delivering a unified message to Congress and the White House on the need for increased cancer-related appropriations.