Alzheimer’s, cancer, and disabilities — Advocacy Day brings large turnout to State House

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO — Advocacy Day at the State House allows groups across South Carolina the chance to meet with lawmakers — and make change.

Wednesday saw a record turnout — with a State House security guard reporting over 1,400 people making their way inside throughout the morning.

Around 100 advocates from the SC Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association were in attendance — decked out in their signature purple sashes.

The group is pushing for two bills to be passed this session.

The first, Bill H3024, would ensure that a legislator has a seat at the table for the organization’s Resource Coordination Center.

The second, Bill S637, would guarantee the Alzheimer’s Disease Registry — with decades of data — continues to receive proper funding.

“The Alzheimer’s Association is proud to be the world’s largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s disease research in the world, so we’re working everyday towards a cure and a treatment but we’re also working in SC like today, to make policy change so people who are living with the disease now and their caregivers have the much needed support that they need.,” says Executive Director Ashton Houghton.

Cheryll Woods-Flowers says her dad, Richard Novak, was diagnosed in 2000.

“He went from being a vibrant guy, never met a stranger, always had a joke about him, to somebody that didn’t know his six children or any of his grandchildren,” says Woods-Flowers adding, “Every single bill that has been proposed… voted on… approved since I’ve been doing this… would have helped us tremendously.”

And downstairs, the American Cancer Society held its annual Suits and Sneakers Cancer Action Day — with around 50 cancer survivors, patients, and advocates with the Cancer Action Network in attendance.

Leaders say they’re fighting  against Bill H4303, which would lower the price of heated tobacco products across the state.

Products that ACS says are proven to cause cancer. More affordable means more accessible to children, says Beth Johnson with ACS.

“Tobacco costs our state $2.2 billion annually in healthcare costs. Why are we giving big tobacco a tax break? Why aren’t we looking at things to really focus on South Carolinians health, like expansion of Medicaid? It’s time for us to get our heads out of the sand and really focus on what we can do to have the greatest impact in our great state,” says Johnson.

And outside on the State House front lawn, disability rights’ groups like “The Arc of South Carolina,” “Civitan Club of Columbia,” and “Partnership of Disability Organizations” met to have their voices heard.

Istua McAdams says he came to find a potential part time job, and has certifications in sign language and was also an assistant basketball coach.

“I’m happy. I’m happy to support the family, and friends too,” says McAdams.