While we are very disappointed about having to cancel our 2026 State Breast Cancer Advocacy Day at the General Assembly due to the weather conditions, we hope you will take time to join us for a Virtual Day of Action on Thursday, January 29th.
You can help educate your State Delegate and Senator about legislation in the 2026 General Assembly session that is important to breast cancer patients. Connect with your state elected officials and help amplify our message!
To get started, first, review this one-page summary of “VBCF’s 2026 Legislative Priorities” and our “Advocate Talking Points” that provide details about each bill. Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have. Then, read below to find out ways you can take action on January 29, 2026.
Questions? Contact Kirsta at kirsta@vbcf.org or 804-285-1200 ext. 203
Take Action
Action Item #1: Contact Legislators and/or Provide Virtual Testimony in support of Paid Family and Medical Leave. Time Sensitive!
HB1207 will Establish A Paid Family and Medical Leave program in Virginia. This bill will be heard TODAY, January 29th in the House Labor and Commerce Subcommittee #2. It’s important that the members of this subcommittee hear from us!
Before NOON today, please:
1. Call or send an email specifically to the Delegates on the House Labor & Commerce Subcommittee #2 to ask them to support paid family and medical leave. Please do this by NOON. (Subcommittee members listed below).
Sample Email Template
Use the template below to help you get started. Feel free to edit as you wish.
Subject Line: Please support HB1207
Dear Delegate [x]:
I am a volunteer advocate with the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation and a breast cancer [survivor, thriver, caregiver]. [NOTE: if this is your Delegate, please mention you are a constituent]. I am writing to urge you to support HB1207, which would establish a paid family and medical leave program in Virginia.
Treatment for breast cancer is often a months-long process, requiring surgery, hospitalization, intense chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and multiple medical appointments – all requiring time off from work. But, roughly 3.5 million working Virginians – 73% of the workforce – lack access to paid family and medical leave from their jobs.
Without paid time off, many breast cancer patients struggle to manage the side effects of their treatment and recovery and their finances – all at a time when they are at their most vulnerable. [Share your experience – why paid leave was important to you, or why going through treatment without it was difficult]
Please support HB1207 to ensure that breast cancer patients have access to paid medical leave so they can focus on their cancer treatment and recovery without the risk of financial ruin.
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME, CITY]
Subcommittee Members
2. If you would be interested in testifying virtually at the House Labor & Commerce Subcommittee #2 hearing, please email Kirsta Millar (kirsta@vbcf.org) so that she can provide additional details.
Action Item #2: Connect with your State Delegate and Senator about the Legislative Priorities Important to Breast Cancer Patients
1. Review VBCF’s 2026 Priority Legislation
Please review the one-page summary of “VBCF 2026 Legislative Priorities“ and our “Advocate Talking Points“ with more details about each bill.
2. Confirm Your State Delegate and State Senator
Find your legislators and their email address here: Who’s My Legislator?
Enter your home address, then click “More Info” to get a link to their email address.
3. Email Your Legislators on Thursday, January 29th
- Let them know you are a VBCF volunteer advocate and their constituent. Download & Attach VBCF’s 2026 Legislative Priorities document to your email.
- Highlight any of the bills that are particularly important to you and WHY. Your personal experience is what will make an impact to your legislator. *Special Note: If your legislator is the patron of any of the bills, please thank them for carrying the legislation.
Sample Email Template
Use the template below to help you get started. Feel free to edit as you wish.
Subject Line: Support Legislation Important to Breast Cancer Patients
Hello Delegate/Senator [ENTER NAME]:
I am one of your constituents and a volunteer advocate with the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation. I would still like to share with you several bills making their way through the 2026 General Assembly that are important to Virginians impacted by breast cancer, like myself. (see attached). [If you’d like, you can share a few details about your breast cancer story]
Bill [make sure to include the bill number, i.e., HBx or SBx] is especially important to me because [fill in – you can use some of the “Advocate Talking Points” or your own words].
I hope you will consider supporting these important bills.
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME, CITY]
4.) Let VBCF know if you get a response from your legislators and/or if they have questions that VBCF staff can help answer. Email Kirsta at kirsta@vbcf.org.
THANK YOU!
