Home / ACCESS Advocacy / ACCESS Advocacy Guide
(For Parents, Caregivers and Community Advocates)
You don’t need to be an expert to make a difference. Sharing your story and asking for support can change how Canada cares for children with cancer. This guide gives you everything you need to take action, whether it’s meeting your Member of Parliament (MP), posting on social media or talking about childhood cancer in your community.
Download This Page: Advocating for ACCESS
Find your MP: Visit www.ourcommons.ca/members and enter your postal code to see who represents your riding.
Reach out: MPs are usually easiest to reach by email or phone through their constituency office. You can also contact them on social media.
Request a meeting: Keep it simple saying, “I’m a constituent in your riding, and I’d like to meet with you to talk about childhood cancer.”
Timing: MPs are often more available when they are back in their riding (outside of Ottawa sitting weeks, or during election campaigns).
Where to meet: Meetings can happen at their local office, at community events, or even virtually if that works better for you.
Remember: MPs and their staff work for you as a constituent. Don’t hesitate to reach out more than once if you don’t hear back the first time.
Meeting with your MP is one of the most effective ways to advocate. Here’s a quick guide to how you’re meeting can go:
Introduce yourself clearly: “I’m [your name], a parent/caregiver in [community].”
Share your personal story: Let them know why childhood cancer matters to your family—keep it personal and short.
Make the ask: “ACCESS has already made a real difference for families, and we need your support to keep that momentum going.”
Bring something to leave behind: Share the ACCESS one-pager and your contact information.
End with gratitude: Always thank your MP for their time.
Tip: Don’t worry about being “perfect.” What matters most is that you show up and speak from the heart.
These are the core points to keep coming back to. Use them in meetings, emails or social media posts.
Childhood cancer is a growing health crisis. Childhood cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death in kids. One in five children doesn’t survive, and survivors often live with lifelong challenges. Families like ours need federal leadership to change this.
Our children and our clinical research structures are vulnerable. Canada is currently overly dependent on international sponsors for clinical trials and other advanced treatments, especially from the United States. Our clinical research network is fragile, leaving our children vulnerable to loss of access due to political volatility in the US. We must become true partners, capable of ‘paying our own’ way.
ACCESS is Canada’s solution. ACCESS brings together survivors, families, clinicians and researchers to push for better treatments and a fair system so every child can access the care they need.
Federal investment is working, and must continue. With federal support, ACCESS is already helping families by connecting communities, supporting research and making sure children’s needs are heard at the national level. But without more investment, progress will stall.
Community, research, and data are the pillars of change. A strong community means families’ voices drive solutions. Clinical trials and new treatments give children a fighting chance. Better data makes sure no family is left behind.
The federal ask: leadership to secure a better future for children. We’re asking Ottawa to commit $8M next year and $80M over four years so no child has to fight cancer without hope of the best care.
Advocacy doesn’t have to be complicated, simple steps can have real impact.
On social media: Share your story, tag your MP, and use ACCESS’s messages.
In conversation: Talk with family, friends, neighbours, and community groups.
At local events: If you see your MP, introduce yourself and mention childhood cancer.
Letters or op-eds: A short letter to your local paper can help raise awareness.
Keep your message short and clear.
Be personal, your lived experience is powerful.
Always ask for action, not just sympathy.
Be polite and respectful, even if your MP doesn’t agree.
Follow up if you don’t hear back, persistence matters.
#CndPoli
#ChildhoodCancer
#ACCESS
Canada’s pediatric cancer system is facing critical gaps, leading to unequal access to care and support for families. Addressing these challenges requires a national plan that strengthens pediatric oncology services and improves access for every child, no matter where they live.
The solutions exist, we just need them to be heard and implemented. Link to landing page. #CndPoli #ChildhoodCancer #ACCESS
X/Twitter
Canada’s pediatric cancer system faces critical gaps & unequal access to care. The solutions exist, we just need them to be heard & implemented. Link to landing page.
#CndPoli #ChildhoodCancer #ACCESS
Feel free to include a photo of you and your family to create a more engaging and personal post
When my [child/niece/nephew/patient] was diagnosed with cancer, we quickly learned how uneven access to pediatric cancer care can be in Canada.
In our case, [share your story: e.g., “we had to travel eight hours for treatment,” “we waited months for a specialist,” or “support services were hard to find.”]
This isn’t just our story - families all over the country are facing similar challenges. That’s why I’m supporting ACCESS, working to close these gaps and make sure every child gets the care they need, close to home.
#CndPoli #ChildhoodCancer #ACCESS
X/Twitter
Our family’s experience with childhood cancer showed us how uneven care can be across Canada. I’m supporting ACCESS, pushing for better systems and support for kids and families.
#CndPoli #ChildhoodCancer #ACCESS
When mentioning ACCESS in your posts, make sure to tag them for visibility and reposting opportunity.
Bluesky - @access-acces.bsky.social
Instagram - @access_acces
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/access-acces/
Website - https://www.accessforkidscancer.ca/
Raise awareness through social media, meet with your MP, and share any way you can in your community.
ACCESS Advocacy Guide (Download)
Visit the ACCESS Website (External Link)