Fran Turns Heads at the Democratic National Convention

Our very own Fran Drescher, President and Visionary of Cancer Schmancer, spent four very busy days participating in the events of the Democratic National Convention. There, she was able to scope out the convention scene, reach out to hundreds of women, and play a part in political history!

Read on for my exclusive interview with Jordan Brown, Cancer Schmancer’s Director of Policy & Public Affairs, and his experience with Fran Drescher in Denver at the Democratic National Convention.

Jessica Liss, Program Coordinator: What was Fran able to achieve on behalf of Cancer Schmancer during the Democratic National Convention?

Jordan Brown, Cancer Schmancer’s Director of Policy & Public Affairs: Fran and I encountered so many incredible people from delegates to members of city councils and mayors, to Senators and members of Congress, to former and possibly future presidents! We met hundreds of people and gave out more than 500 copies of our “Cancer Schmancer Tea Party” DVD, which highlights real women’s survival stories, gives viewers information on how to detect cancer in Stage one, and more information they need to know to take control of their bodies. We spoke with most of these individuals about the staggering difference in survival rates between Stage one and stage four diagnosis. Most of them were shocked to learn that late-stage diagnosis of cancer is such a problem in the United States, and were in full agreement with Fran and Cancer Schmancer’s mission that all Americans should be diagnosed in Stage 1, when it is most curable.

JL: Share some of the most memorable highlights of each day at the convention.

JB: Monday - Hearing Senator Ted Kennedy, (from Massachusetts) one of the longest serving Senators speak was truly inspirational because of his high profile battle with cancer. Just weeks before Senator Kennedy was diagnosed, he decided to take the lead along with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (from Texas) on a cancer omnibus bill that – if passed – would be one of the biggest comprehensive cancer bills in American history.

Tuesday - At the Democratic Women’s Caucus, hosted by Lifetime Networks, Fran gave a powerful speech that inspired 1500 women and called on them to take control of their bodies, transform from patients to medical consumers, and become better partners with their physicians.

Fran was in great company, as she met with leading female executives in business, entertainment, and politics, including Sheila Johnson, co-founder of BET, Andrea Wong, CEO of Lifetime Networks, Debbie Stabenow, Michigan Senator and Kathleen Sebelius, Governor of Kansas. Other Hollywood stars who spoke at the event included Eva Longoria and Rosario Dawson, whom who have been touched by cancer and have joined the Cancer Schmancer Movement.

Wednesday – We went to a luncheon at the Denver Art Museum where Jennifer Lopez voiced her support for one of America’s foremost advocates for children’s issues, Marian Wright Edelman. During this event, Fran and I received a tremendous response to Cancer Schmancer’s mission and crossed paths with countless individuals who shared with us their own personal experiences with cancer, including their triumphs and their losses. Fran Drescher with Jennifer Lopez at the DNC.

Thursday – We attended a film festival and saw Fourteen Women, a poignant documentary that followed our fourteen female Senators from both sides of the aisle. This documentary particularly caught my attention because it displayed both the advantages and challenges of being a woman working in what has traditionally been called a “men’s club.”

We also had a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness history that evening, Senator Barack Obama accept his nomination as the first African-American nominee of a major party in the United States.

JL: What was Fran’s primary message to the DNC attendees?

JB: Fran’s call to action on behalf of Cancer Schmancer to all women was simple; we don’t care who you vote for so long as who you vote for is voting for you. Fran also made it publicly known at the DNC that one of Cancer Schmancer’s primary public policy efforts involve educating the masses about the early warning signs of cancer and the importance of early detection. Hundreds of individuals approached us throughout the week to share their gratitude for Fran’s commitment to revolutionizing women’s health history and improving cancer health care for all Americans.

JL: Which celebrities did you spot at the DNC?

JB: Some of the people we bumped into were Chevy Chase and his wife Jayni, Tatyana Ali, Charlize Theron and Ben Affleck, Kirsten Dunst. All these celebrities were using their star power to advocate their own amazingly worthy causes.

JL: What were the hot button issues during the convention?

JB: One of the biggest themes throughout this convention was the healthcare crisis in this country. We were reminded time and again that there are 46 million uninsured Americans, including millions of children. Another major topic of discussion was the fact that women still do not earn equal pay for equal work.

JL: Did the energy of the convention evolve over the course of the four days?

JB: With each day came a rush of adrenaline and excitement as we participated in history in the making. Senator Barack Obama’s acceptance speech was the last of the major events and was particularly inspirational to us because he shared with the world that he lost his own mother to late-stage diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

JL: What are the presidential candidates’ views on cancer research, detection, and prevention?

JB: Both Senators John McCain and Barack Obama were co-sponsors of Johanna’s Law, also known as “The Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act,” a landmark piece of legislation passed in 2006, paving the way for a national gynecologic cancer campaign. Both presidential candidates are committed to the fight against cancer and Cancer Schmancer looks forward to forging alliances with both presidential nominees in our efforts to ensure women with cancer are diagnosed in Stage one, when it is most curable. During the next administration, Cancer Schmancer will focus on bringing cancer prevention and early detection to the forefront of the next administration’s health agenda.

JL: Did you and Fran attend the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota the following week?

JB: Unfortunately, the Republican National Convention occurred the same week as Stand Up to Cancer. Fran was invited on behalf of Cancer Schmancer to participate in the first ever, commercial free, televised celebrity telethon which aired on ABC, CBS, and NBC, to raise funds for groundbreaking cancer research. So far over 100 million dollars have been raised through www.standup2cancer.org.

While we were unable to attend the RNC, Cancer Schmancer plans to collaborate with Senator McCain’s staff to further the Cancer Schmancer mission.

Closing Notes:

We are all, at this very moment, living through political history. As both Senators John McCain and Barack Obama have accepted their nominations as presidential candidates, it is important to know where they stand on all the important issues we, as a nation, face today. Educate yourself on their plans for winning the battle against cancer.

Senator McCain has released his strategy online.
http://www.johnmccain.com/Issues/HealthCare/FC.htm

Senator Barack Obama has issued his proposal as a pdf. http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/issues/healthcare/Fact_Sheet_Cancer_FINAL...

Remember, at Cancer Schmancer, we don’t care who you vote for so long as who you vote for is voting for you! Together, through education, legislation and social reform, we will ensure that all women’s cancers are diagnosed in Stage 1, when it is most curable.

Jessica M. Liss, Program Coordinator
Cancer Schmancer