Earlier this month, the nation’s capital became the backdrop for ABC’s inaugural Advocacy Summit. The summit brought together individuals from blood centers throughout the country, along with partner organizations, to elevate the voice of the blood community on Capitol Hill.
Day One: Equipping Advocates with Knowledge and Confidence
The summit opened with a series of energizing sessions aimed at turning passion into purpose. Participants learned the fundamentals of effective advocacy—from the art of personal storytelling to the ins and outs of legislative processes. Advocates learned about the importance of building an ongoing relationship with their elected officials, as well as the practical details of how to actually do the work of year-round advocacy. We broke down key issues affecting the blood community, including getting more lifesaving blood in ambulances, strengthening cyber resilience for the blood community, and streamlining regulations for community blood centers.
Day Two: Taking the Hill
Armed with talking points and personal conviction, participants fanned out across Capitol Hill for meetings with members of Congress and their staff. For many, it was their first time navigating the marble halls of power—but they did so with poise and determination. They shared moving stories about the impact of the work blood centers do every day, highlighting ways members of Congress can support the blood supply, from legislative action to encouraging blood donation in their role as leaders in the community.
By the end of the day, over 130 meetings had been held, and numerous lawmakers expressed interest in co-sponsoring or supporting key initiatives.
A Movement in Motion
The summit wasn’t just a two-day event—it was part of ABC’s Blood Advocacy Week 2025, where over 100 organizations, including patient organizations, industry partners, and more, demonstrated the broad support for a safe and available blood supply.
As part of the week we:
- Sent a letter to members of Congress from all the advocacy partners showing unity in advancing our advocacy agenda;
- Held a successful blood drive on Capitol Hill, inspiring lawmakers, staff, and more to donate;
- Recognized Congressional champions for the first time as part of our Act for Blood program, further solidifying our relationships on Capitol Hill; and
- Engaged in media campaigns that reached over 100 million readers nationwide.
The impact of Blood Advocacy Week extends far beyond these numbers. Each meeting, each donation, and each conversation has brought us closer to our shared goal of ensuring a safe and available blood supply.
As we reflect on this successful week, let’s carry this momentum forward. Our advocacy work is ongoing, and your continued support is invaluable.
If you want to learn more or get involved in future advocacy efforts, stay tuned for updates and resources from your local and national blood advocacy organizations.