Since our founding 30+ years ago, VBCF has been working to eradicate breast cancer by advocating for important public policies related to breast cancer and healthcare access at both the state and federal levels. We mobilize and train volunteer advocates from around the state. We coordinate breast cancer advocacy days where volunteers meet with their legislators in the Virginia General Assembly and the United States Congress to discuss how to improve the lives of those impacted by breast cancer.
YOUR voice can make a difference. When our elected officials hear from their constituents who have been affected by breast cancer, it makes a BIG impact. Watch our webinar, Raise Your Voice, to learn more about VBCF’s state and national advocacy and get started today! No previous experience is necessary.
Sign up for VBCF Action Alerts
VBCF Action Alerts will keep you up to date with the latest breast cancer legislation – at both the state and national levels – and provide the tools and information you need to take action. These email alerts are sent periodically – when your advocacy is needed the most. They also provide policy education, with background and details about advocacy issues of interest to the breast cancer community. Sign Up!
Keep it Local! State Advocacy Day
VBCF mobilizes volunteer advocates to support important state legislation related to breast cancer. VBCF’s annual State Breast Cancer Advocacy Day takes place during the VA General Assembly session which starts in early January each year. VBCF provides training so that advocates are prepared to meet with their state elected officials about key issues impacting Virginians with breast cancer.
- 2025 Virginia Breast Cancer Advocacy Day Recap
- 2024 Virginia Breast Cancer Advocacy Day and General Assembly Re-Cap
- 2023 Virginia General Assembly Session Update
- 2022 Virginia General Assembly Update
- 2021 Virginia General Assembly Session 2021 Recap
Take it to Congress! National Advocacy Day
VBCF organizes volunteer advocates to participate in the annual National Breast Cancer Advocacy Day, hosted by the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) and centered around NBCC’s national legislative priorities. Advocates meet with elected officials and staff from members of Virginia’s Congressional delegation. No experience is necessary – just your willingness to share your experiences with breast cancer. NBCC Team Leaders from Virginia run each meeting and can field questions from legislators and their staff.
- 2024 NBCC Advocacy Leadership Summit and Lobby Day Re-Cap
- 2023 NBCC National Breast Cancer Lobby Day: Click here for more information about our meetings and results.
- 2022 NBCC National Breast Cancer Lobby Day: Re-Cap
- In 2021, VBCF volunteer advocates participated in NBCC’s Virtual Breast Cancer Lobby Day on May 18th, 2021.
- First-Ever Virtual National Breast Cancer Advocacy Day, June 16, 2020.
VBCF's Advocacy Task Force & The Karin Decker Noss Scholarship
VBCF’s Advocacy Task Force offers volunteers an opportunity to get advocacy training and take an active role in helping with VBCF’s work throughout the year, including State and National Advocacy Days. The Task Force will meet virtually and in person. If you want to learn more and find out how to get involved, please contact Kirsta Millar at kirsta@vbcf.org.
VBCF’s Karin Decker Noss Scholarship funds training for volunteer advocates to attend national, in-depth educational conferences and bring this knowledge back to Virginia. Karin Decker Noss was a dedicated board member and former VBCF president who dedicated her life to breast cancer advocacy. This scholarship honors Karin and seeks to carry on the important work that she began.
Advocacy News
2022 General Assembly Update
The VBCF-led diagnostic breast imaging coverage bill, HR 1243, was “tabled” by the House Commerce and Energy Committee, thus ending consideration for this General Assembly Session. While the details are complicated (dealing with prohibiting additions to...
A Marathon, Not a Sprint
“As someone with metastatic breast cancer, I know that this is a marathon, not a sprint. And, access to treatment is so important. Why should I have to wait up to 2 years for the benefits I already qualify for?” Anne, Virginia Advocate speaking about the Metastatic...
30 Years of Advocacy
One of VBCF’s first advocacy events was a Mothers’ Day Rally at the General Assembly to urge legislators to focus more funding on screening and treatment for breast cancer. Our advocacy work has never stopped. VBCF hosts an annual State Breast Cancer Advocacy Day and organizes volunteer advocates to participate in national breast cancer lobby day.
