(CAPITOL CITY NOW) – You don’t have to be a professional lobbyist to get lawmakers’ attention. That was the message Wednesday during a virtual meeting put on by ACS CAN – the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. ACS CAN is the advocacy arm of the cancer society.

“Cancer doesn’t care what side of the aisle you are on, and neither do we,” said Ally Lopshire, ACS CAN’s governmental affairs director for Illinois. “We are a completely non-partisan organization. We do not have a PAC. We do not engage in elections beyond asking anyone who is running for an election to pledge to support cancer policies. We’re going to work with you to make sure we get public policies in place to support the cancer community.”

Volunteer Michelle Domecki said, “The most important thing that a volunteer does is really cultivating a really good relationship with your legislators. Calling them, letting them know that you’re there if they have any questions, if any policy does come up regarding cancer that you’re the one they want to go to, they want to talk to.”

Domecki said it behooves the volunteer lobbyists to have a personal story to tell, one which lawmakers will remember.

Also on the call was advocate Chris Draft, a former Chicago Bears linebacker.