As a volunteer, you may choose to participate in our Advocates Council–testifying before legislative or regulatory bodies in the U.S., being placed on advisory committees, or lobbying members of Congress for improvements to health policy and public health funding. If you’re interested in becoming a PLF advocate, you’ll be trained in sharing your story and making the most of your time with key decision makers.

All volunteers, regardless of their participation in the Advocates Council, are eligible for involvement in our annual Lobby Day.

Some volunteers participate in our Speakers Bureau, including media interviews and public speaking opportunities. Interviews are requested with our volunteers in a variety of formats, such as videos, audio recordings or podcasts, and standard written media. Other activities, like presenting to corporate bodies, clinician communities, or other public events, are also available for our speakers. Members of the PLF Speakers Bureau receive training on sharing their stories–and key information about C. diff–for general audiences.

Another crucial pillar of our volunteer body is the Peer Support Network. Through this program, individuals battling C. diff or caring for a loved one with the infection are paired with mentors who have themselves been personally impacted by C. diff. While they cannot give medical advice, volunteers answer simple questions, offer emotional support, share their own stories, and connect patients with healthcare providers and resources.

All volunteers are invited to attend our annual C. diff Summit and Lobby Day events in Washington, D.C., March 31-April 1. This event is a chance for volunteers across our programs to meet and network, as well as learn from experts and each other about advocacy, education, and patient support strategies.

If you’re interested in participating in a Summit roundtable discussion between C. diff survivors and healthcare professionals, please contact us here.