CLIMB THE HILL
Sign up to join our next Climb the Hill Day, in person or by Zoom!
Questions? Ask jenn@kidsvcancer.org
Why We Climb the Hill
Climb the Hill is Kids v Cancer’s youth advocacy initiative.
Kids and young adults who are patients, survivors, siblings and friends meet with Congressional offices — in-person and by zoom — to tell their stories of pediatric cancer. They educate Senators, Representatives and their staff. They ask Congress to care.
We ask kids and young adults to advocate for pediatric cancer because they are powerful voices. They may start unsure of themselves, but they quickly find how important these meetings are to Congress. Their unique life experiences make them experts on pediatric cancer and how proposed policy, legislative, or regulatory change could impact them and their peers. They have agency. Lawmakers and Congressional staff listen to them.
Kids v Cancer welcomes kids and young adults with mobility issues and other disabilities.
Little kids who know about pediatric cancer are welcome too.
Our Youth Leaders will make it work for any kid or young adult who wishes to participate.
Before Climb the Hill Day
When a new kid or young adult applies to join Climb the Hill, the applicant himself or herself first has a zoom meeting with Jenn Flynn, our Director of Outreach.
Jenn talks to the young person about their experience of pediatric cancer, and how to tell one’s story. Jenn reviews the program, responds to questions, and provides any assurances the young person may need that they can to do this.
The first meeting can be frightening and we’ve known staff who were not composed on their first meeting. That is OK! We are seeking authenticity, what kids think about cancer. We are not seeking policy experts.
On Climb the Hill Day
On the day of the Climb, Kids v Cancer Youth Leaders train their peers on: the legislative process, how to tell their personal stories of cancer, how to conduct a professional meeting, and what pediatric cancer bills are before Congress.
Our Climb the Hill days are in-person or by zoom.
For in-person Climb the Hill meetings, kids and young adults form small groups lead by a Youth Leader. They get a map and a schedule and they are off for the day!
For zoom Climb the Hill meetings, kids and young adults sign up for those zooms they can attend. They log on, meet their Youth Leader, and start their meeting with Congressional staff or Members of Congress. Parents, teachers and Kids v Cancer staff are not part of the meetings. We sign-off so they can have their own zoom!
What if I don’t know what to say in the meetings?
You are the expert on what it’s like to have pediatric cancer, or what it’s like for a sibling or friend to have a pediatric cancer. Members of Congress and their staff want to hear it all. How was the hospital food? What’s it like to lose your hair? How does it feel for a sibling to be so sick? What is it like to have cancer when you are young?
Trust us: they will be in awe of you. They will be in awe of how you are navigating your challenges. What is “normal” for you is compelling for Members of Congress and their staff.
If you don’t want to talk, you don’t have to. Your presence at the meetings makes a difference.
By the second meeting, you will be a pro.
NBC Nightly News Covers
Kids v Cancer’s Climb the Hill
Want a refresher on how a bill becomes a law? Remember School House Rock?
Kids v Cancer is honored to have Climbed the Hill with the following partners
In Memoriam
We remember Climb the Hill Day Youth Advocates who asked the world to change, and for whom the changes did come fast enough.
We miss Ella Bresee, Caroline Belcher, Elizabeth Weidner, Ally Anderson, Daniella Gad and Jacob Froman every day. This is why we Climb the Hill.
Daniella Gad (in a hat)