Action Needed Now to Support Johanna's Law

Political issues were never a priority in my life until recently. Our school district, due to budget cuts, was slated to increase the teacher to student ratio from 20 students to 35 in kindergarten, first, and second grade classes. Due to the grass roots fundraising of many parents, volunteer organizations, and corporate sponsors, monies were raised to keep those ratios small. What does that have to do with nursing, you might ask?

SGNO is collaborating with the Women's Cancer Action Network (WeCAN) to add a political voice to address the needs of prevention, early detection and diagnosis, and treatment for women with gynecologic cancers. Through increased federal funding, hopefully more research and early detection programs may be implemented.

Of utmost political priority is Johanna's Law, which is now at the House of Representatives and the Senate. WeCAN has asked SGNO to send letters - from ourselves, patients and friends - in order to communicate our passion in obtaining more funding for gynecologic cancers. It is critical that you sign with an original signature, printed name, and include a written address and zip code on the letter.

You may think that you have no time for one additional action item on your list of things to do, but here on our SGNO site you'll find sample letters to facilitate the process. If we each sign a letter and our patients do so as well, those thousands of letters would make our voices heard in Washington. Time is short, and your action is needed so please take a few moments, and mail letters to your Representative and your Senators.

For the proper names and addresses of your elected officials, or to learn if they've already decided to be co-sponsors of the legislation, please visit the Johanna's Law website for full information.

Personal reflections about Johanna from her sister, Sheryl Silver, have given us a fresh perspective about the importance of impacting healthcare when we can in order to optimize the care of women with gynecologic cancers.

I urge you to put into political action your passion that you have in caring for your patients. It truly is the best example of being a patient advocate. Please feel free to contact me via email at b.birk@att.net if you have any questions or concerns regarding Johanna's Law and how you can help.

Thank you,
Connie L. Birk, RN BSN OCN
Communications Chair, SGNO