Ilhaam “Illy” Jaffer: Elevating Patient Voices, Creating Lifesaving Policies & Conquering Cancer

Ilhaam “Illy” Jaffer is a woman on a mission: to lead the fight for a world without cancer. Illy, a savvy political veteran, is powerful, fearless, and tenacious. As Director of Federal Government Relations for the American Cancer Society, Illy amplifies the voices of cancer patients, shapes health policy, and helps ensure equity in distribution of funds, inclusion in studies, and more. In a conversation led by hosts Dee Martin and Yasmin Nelson, Illy discusses how her work in federal and state politics helped make her a strong advocate for the important work of the ACS. She also dives into women’s health, discussing reproductive rights and the importance of not dismissing early signs of illness, sharing her scary journey of being diagnosed with Lyme Disease. Illy leaves listeners with advice to trust your instinct, believe in your abilities, and validate yourself.

If you enjoyed this conversation with Illy Jaffer, check out some of our other episodes covering similar topics.

• Kim Corbin: Making Rules, Breaking Rules & Ruling Rules
• Skye Perryman: Finding a Way or Making One in the Fight for Justice
• Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith: Views from a White House Official on Beating the Pandemic and Ending Inequities in Healthcare

To learn more about the show and send suggestions for future topics and guests, follow us on Twitter: @MadamPolicy