Bladder Cancer Canada is the first and only Canadian patient advocacy organization dedicated to bladder cancer support. We help empower and provide support to patients, caregivers, and health care providers to advocate to federal, provincial, and territorial governments on issues that are important to our community.
Bladder Cancer Patient Self-Advocacy
Empowering the Bladder Cancer Community
Stay Informed and Connected
With new advances in the management and treatment of bladder cancer coming to Canada and more on the horizon, our community needs to stay connected and informed on these developments more than ever. We want to take every opportunity to provide input and share impactful stories to help ensure bladder cancer patients have access to all Health Canada-approved treatment options.
Your Role in Advocacy
Alongside Bladder Cancer Canada, your engagement in advocacy can help ensure our community’s voice is heard, and the needs of patients are met by decision-makers in the government and medical sectors and among pharmaceutical companies. Bladder Cancer Canada champions access to the best care and treatment for patients, working with the bladder cancer community to advocate for access to care and treatment through engagement in drug regulatory and reimbursement reviews, as well as funding processes. Many issues facing bladder cancer patients can be resolved through effective and sustained advocacy. To become an advocate for yourself, a loved one, or on behalf of the bladder cancer community, a great way to get started is to watch our Access to Medication Webinar Series.
And remember, we are here to help you develop your personal bladder cancer story – an essential step to becoming an effective advocate.
To join our volunteer team to help empower and educate Canadians about bladder cancer and its symptoms, visit our Volunteer page.
Seeking a Second Opinion for Bladder Cancer
Asking for a second opinion can be daunting. You don’t want to upset or offend your current physician, or slow down the process. However, feeling comfortable with the decisions you make during bladder cancer treatments is essential. Review our educational materials, talk to a peer support volunteer, participate in a support group or review the content on our discussion forum. The information shared may be enough to make you feel comfortable with the course of action recommended by your urologist.
If you are still feeling uncomfortable with recommended treatment, remember it is your right to get a second opinion. A second opinion may provide new perspectives and alternative treatments, or simply confirm that the treatment recommended is the best option for your diagnosis.
Advocacy Training & Tools
The Access to Medication Webinar Series hosted by Bladder Cancer Canada, in collaboration with EVERSANA, provides advocates with an understanding of who does what in Canada’s healthcare system and how medications are approved and funded across the country. You’ll also learn how patients, caregivers, and their loved ones can engage in advocacy to ensure treatments for bladder cancer are made available and accessible to all who can benefit from them.
Webinar 1 – How Government Works in Canada & Who Does What in Canada’s Healthcare System
This webinar on the type of government system we have in Canada, the structure of the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, the current political landscape, and how healthcare services are delivered and paid for in Canada.
Webinar 2 – Drug Approval and Reimbursement Processes in Canada
This video provides a close look at how new drugs are evaluated and approved in Canada and how they are reviewed and funded through provincial and territorial health insurance plans.
Webinar 3 – The Fundamentals of Advocacy
This advocacy tool discusses the importance of advocacy, the different kinds of advocacy, how key messages are developed for advocacy, and the types of advocacy tools you can use as part of an effective advocacy plan.
Webinar 4 – Telling Your Personal Story & Using Your Advocacy Tools
This webinar explains how and when to effectively use the advocacy tools available to you, and how to develop and deliver your personal story* to a decision-maker as a key component of advocacy.
For a copy of the slide decks, please email info@bladdercancercanada.org.
Download a “How-To” Guide
*You will also find some helpful tips for developing, perfecting, and delivering your personal story in this “How-To” Guide.
If you still have questions about becoming an advocate, you may find answers by watching our Advocacy FAQ Webinar, including two great examples of personal stories from our community.
We hope you will consider becoming a bladder cancer advocate.
If you are experiencing an issue related to navigating your diagnosis or treatments, please contact Bladder Cancer Canada at info@bladdercancercanada.org or 1-866-674-8889.
Start your journey towards effective advocacy by developing your personal bladder cancer story with our support.
Take action now and be a powerful voice for change!