AUGUST 2026 Newsletter - Advocacy: Acting with Empathy and Compassion

“Advocacy is empathy, compassion and community at work.” - Janna Cachola 

For family caregivers, advocacy is deeply intertwined with our lives whether we name it as such or not. The Missouri Foundation for Health defines advocacy as “any action that speaks in favor of, recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others.” Whether we are listening to our loved ones' needs, speaking up during appointments, or forming our support networks, we are engaging in advocacy.

There are numerous ways we can be advocates not just for loved ones, but also for ourselves and others in our communities. The West Virginia University Health Science Center defines three different types of advocacy: self-advocacy, individual advocacy, and systems advocacy.

• Self-advocacy relates to how we are able to communicate our own needs and defend our rights. We engage in self-advocacy when we understand our own needs, believe in ourselves, and communicate effectively with others.

• Individual advocacy refers to when one or several people work together to protect the rights of another person. We become individual advocates when we nurture our support networks and speak up on behalf of our loved ones.

• Systems advocacy focuses on changing institutional policies, laws, and rules in order to protect groups of people. When we share our stories, join campaigns, and volunteer with dedicated advocacy groups, we are participating in systems advocacy.

As we head into September, we urge you to reflect on how you are and can be an advocate. Like Janna Cachola emphasizes, “Advocacy is empathy, compassion and community at work.” How will your empathy allow you to find connection and stand up for your loved ones and community today?

Check out the entire August 2026 Newsletter focused on Advocacy here.