Amanda Walsh
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2021. I was young, and my family was still reeling from two loved ones’ own breast cancer diagnoses earlier that same year. When I first found my lump, I thought, there’s no way I have cancer. Not right now. The universe wouldn’t allow that, right?
Turns out, it would. The universe is funny that way.
Those following weeks and months were a whirlwind. I attended countless appointments. I was asked to make what felt like impossible decisions. I hardly had room to catch my breath.
When I finished active treatment nearly a year later, the weight of it all started to hit me. Grueling though that stage of treatment had been, it was also something to focus on. This new chapter of my treatment wasn’t as invasive, and it came with a lot more time to think.
Taking control and finding my voice
Two thoughts I mulled over often were, What can I do to take back control? How can I help others? During the initial stages of my diagnosis and treatment, I had felt helpless. I also knew how grateful I was for the other cancer survivors who had lifted me up along the way. So when I found out about WBCC’s State Advocacy Day this past April, I signed up to attend and lobby in support of Senate Bill 121 / Assembly Bill 117. I thought it could be a way to take back some control, and to give back to the community that had carried me when I needed it most. It felt like a way to give voice to the sadness and grief I had been feeling, and let those things mean something new.
That April morning, I was nervous. I had never done any lobbying or felt like I knew how to get engaged with local politics, even though I had long wanted to. It turns out I was in excellent hands. The WBCC was very organized and did a wonderful job getting a newbie like myself up to speed. I spent the day with other advocates, meeting with legislators and their staff to ask them to support SB 121 / AB 117. When I left the statehouse later that day, I felt exhilarated. Advocacy was suddenly more accessible than it had ever felt before. I had met so many remarkable, dedicated people fighting for change. And I had found my voice.
Continuing the momentum
One of the best things about Advocacy Day was that I learned I didn’t have to be so intimidated by connecting with legislators. They wanted to hear from us, their constituents. This newfound confidence led me to reach out to my State Assembly rep after Advocacy Day, and she graciously offered to meet with me one-on-one to talk about the bill. She even later signed on as a co-sponsor!
This confidence also helped me share my own testimony with the Senate Committee on Health when they held a public hearing on the bill in July. That day, I was the last to testify and followed deeply moving and powerful testimony from my fellow patient advocates. My heart was heavy for all that we had endured, but I was hopeful that our voices might pave a better road for future patients. It was an emotional day, and I held back tears as I listened to others and as I told my own story. I never once regretted being there, though, and made a plan after the hearing to stay connected with the WBCC and continue to support SB 121 / AB 117.
Don’t be afraid to get connected
I share this experience in the hopes that it might help someone else find the confidence and motivation to get involved with the WBCC. If you are interested in engaging with local politics, and want to lend your voice to support breast cancer patients, please get connected with the WBCC! Don’t be intimidated – if you’ve never done this before, they give you everything you need to feel confident as a new advocate. Plus, you will be joining an amazing group of people.
So, if you’re wondering if you can do this – you can. We need your voice.
I hope to see you at the next State Advocacy Day!
Amanda Walsh is a patient advocate who attended her first State Advocacy Day in April. She lives near Madison.