When my fellow advocates and I walked into Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s office last week for the AIM Advocacy Forum, we weren’t carrying policy briefings. We were there for the people we’d lost, the people we’re fighting for — and in some cases, for ourselves. 

Her name was Lynn. She was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s in 1991. I’ve been advocating in her memory — and in my father’s footsteps — for more than 20 years. And in all that time, the most important thing I’ve learned is this: you do not need to be a policy expert to walk into a congressional office. You need to be honest.

▶ Watch: “Your Story Is Your Superpower”

Our group had done the work — virtual meetings, follow-up calls, emails to the senator’s staff. We made the case for the ASAP Act every way we could. And then, sitting across from Sen. Van Hollen, we told him about our mothers. About our spouses. About what this disease takes and what it leaves behind.

That’s what moved him. Not bill numbers. Not statistics. Stories.

Right there in that meeting, he committed to cosponsor the ASAP Act.

That moment is why I believe so strongly that personal stories are our greatest asset as advocates. The ASAP Act would give Medicare the authority to cover blood tests that can detect Alzheimer’s in people with symptoms — tests that exist, that can give families the time they need to plan, access treatment and make the most of what lies ahead. Congress can clear the legal barrier standing in the way. But they need to hear from us first.

You don’t have to know the bill number. You don’t have to memorize the statistics. You just have to be willing to share what you know firsthand — and that is more powerful than almost anything else.

Ask your member of Congress to cosponsor the ASAP Act. Visit alzimpact.org/ASAP to take action today.