My journey with the LAF

As you all know I have been taking any and all opportunities to help with the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF or LIVESTRONG). I trained with the LAF at the LIVESTRONG Summit in July in Columbus, Ohio thanks to all of my family and friends that supported my travels there. And I was in awe, this organization does so much for the cancer communities all over the world. Where there are gaps, you will find the Lance Armstrong Foundation. I love it! The people I meet through this organization are nothing but helpful and some of the best people I have ever met.
So, this last Tuesday (February 10) was LIVESTRONG Texas Advocacy Day and I was invited along side 74 other delegates of the organization for a training in lobbying and learning how to ask our representatives and senators for what we want and what we need. I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy asking politicians for anything, but I was willing to give it a try if the LAF was willing to teach me how. That Tuesday 75 delegates gathered together in Austin, Texas to make cancer a priority in Texas.

We were greeted by none other than Lance Armstrong himself. It is always awesome to see him at the LiveStrong events. He is a very busy man and I never really expect it, but it is exciting to hear how thrilled he is that we all are there.

I was the only person from my area, so I was assigned to go speak to my representative and senator alone. It sounded scary at first, but after practicing talking to other people and hearing that I would have an LAF staff member with me eased my nervousness. It's one thing to go in the room on your own but to represent an organization was another ballpark. I actually spoke to my representatives Chief of Staff and she was so nice and the best part is my rep was already on board for Smoke Free Texas and wanted to hear more about what funding we needed as time grew nearer to a vote. How awesome is that? And his Chief of Staff was sooo nice and made my first time talking, so easy! The second person I spoke to was the staff person for the senator in my area and she was not very eager to help with the Smoke Free Texas but was interested to know more about what funding was needed for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. YA!

I got to meet Doug Ulman the President and CEO of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. He is such a passionate and motivated individual. It was so cool how down to Earth and easy going he was. He had the photographer take a picture of us too, because he said my camera phone probably wouldn't be as good of a photo (still waiting on that photo).
Each time that I volunteer with this organization I am more and more pleased with what it does and how it has helped so many people.

I can't wait until the next event.

I am gathering up information so that I can start the LIVESTRONG Army here in my area! Look out Aggies, there is a passionate cancer advocate here ready to make a difference!