As I approached the microphone at the National Leadership Summit in Dallas a year ago, there was little question that my Fight Back pledge needed to begin with my own personal fitness. I was far removed from the kid who played five sports in high school and never missed a rec league basketball game for the first few years after college. Truth be told, my friends from those days would hardly recognize the overweight, out-of-shape person I had become. And now in my 50s, the cancer risks loomed large and threatening.

So my Fight Back pledge was to get physically fit, adopt wiser eating habits, and follow a healthier lifestyle. Beginning in December, I started working with a personal trainer three to four times a week who guided my fitness regimen as well as my food choices. Results were fast and encouraging -- I actually lost eight pounds during the holiday season…for me, truly an unheard of "man-bites-dog" turn of events!

I've now lost 30 pounds and countless inches, my heart rate has returned to an acceptable range, and my cholesterol level has improved. In short, at 53 years old, I've not been this healthy since I was in my 20s. In fact, my daughter was so excited about my results that she made her own fitness pledge, and for her 23rd birthday in April, I gave her six weeks with the personal trainer. Now she is making the most of her Fight Back pledge and developing her own healthy habits for life.

When did you first hear about Advocacy?

I have been involved with ACS and Relay For Life for about five years but I had never heard of advocacy. Then I went to winter training and I signed up for the break out session. This was all so new to me - they gave us petitions to encourage our lawmakers to support a colorectal screening bill. I got to looking at them and before you know it, I had them all filled out. I didn’t even know I could do this! And then I thought, what do I do next? So I called my staff partner and told her I needed more petitions!

What motivated you to get started fighting back through advocacy?

Everyone can be informed and share information. It’s amazing because you get all of this information and you want to help people. They are so clueless as to what they can do. So many people have no idea that insurance isn’t required to pay for their colorectal screenings in our state (Ohio). Everyone just thinks they are covered. So, it does make you feel like you are making a difference because at least you are enlightening people.

Has the ACS staff prepared you to take on the fight?

They do a fabulous job! We went to our leadership summit here in OH and the first night it seemed to be all about who raised the most money. But then the next day – the focus was on what they money can do. And that is why I was there! It was great – they give us so much information that you can’t even absorb it all. People who don’t take advantage of the training are losing out.

What advice do you have for other potential advocates out there?

I reach out to other volunteers year round for help. Just last week, I was trying to round people up to call in for the FDA regulation over tobacco products. Believe me, I get more “nos” and more rude people - people even send rude letters. I think people are just scared – I don’t know why. Don’t be scared. After hearing “no” more than once you just get over it. Get over it! I am just a volunteer. I didn’t even know I could do this – and it just keeps getting easier – even when people tell you “no” at first. And the great news is we are making a difference! Just after I and thousands of other volunteers like me called our legislators, FDA regulation over tobacco products passed the US House of Representatives.

Of course we know that there is no such thing as “just a volunteer!” Thank you Lorna, for your ongoing efforts and Fighting Back against cancer! You can join Lorna by FIGHTING BACK through Advocacy. Find out how by visiting acscan.org/relay.

You CAN Fight Back - click here to find out how!