Advocate Spotlight: Jenn Schultz

38 meetings. 31 advocates. 14 states. 5 asks. 1 mission.

Eradicate melanoma.

Starting on March 5th, I had the opportunity to join the Melanoma Research Foundation in Washington, DC for their annual Advocacy Days. Though I previously participated virtually, this was the first time I was able to attend in person!

As a four-time melanoma survivor, one of my biggest challenges has been feeling some semblance of control over my own health. I was first diagnosed with Stage 1B melanoma in January 2015. Despite never missing a three-month skin check, wearing sunscreen daily and investing in UPF clothing, my melanoma came back three times between March 2021 and February 2022. Cancer can be a really isolating experience and having to advocate for myself through treatment was exhausting. However, it was in this difficult time that I began to find a renewed sense of purpose.

Getting involved in advocacy work has connected me with others who have been impacted by melanoma. There is so much healing in feeling seen and having someone truly understand the way cancer changes us. Those experiences bond us in a way that few others can relate to. Advocacy Days allows us to be a part of something much bigger than ourselves and provides an opportunity to create meaningful change for others living with melanoma.

Speaking with lawmakers on Capitol Hill can feel intimidating but the Melanoma Research Foundation does an incredible job of both preparing us and making sure we are never alone in the process. We spent a full day learning about the greatest barriers to equitable and accessible healthcare and being mentored by advocates who paved the way before us. We also walked through what our congressional meetings would look like and met the other melanoma advocates from our home states who would stand alongside us in those meetings.

It’s hard to describe what it feels like to walk the storied halls of Congress, buildings so rich with tradition and history. And still, we were there to make our own mark on history. We asked for funding for life-saving research and education. We requested a ban on tanning for minors under the age of 18. We advocated for diversity in clinical trials. We challenged lawmakers to make telehealth waivers permanent, expanding access to quality medical treatment, even in remote and rural areas.

In my last congressional meeting of the day, the emotions of the week began to sink in. With tears in my eyes, I shared my story with Minnesota Representative Betty McCollum’s office. One of Representative McCollum’s staffers thanked me for taking the time to meet with them and sharing my story. She said that when they introduce proposed bills to the House floor, our stories are the ones that make the biggest impact. Our stories matter.
14 states. 5 asks. 1 mission. I hope one day I can say all 50 states came together to change lives, to save lives.

My story matters. Yours does too. Won't you join me?

To learn how you can get involved and be a powerful voice for the melanoma community, visit the Advocacy page on our website or email advocacy@melanoma.org.