The power of relationships: Bruce Cook's COS testimony

Bruce Cook was searching “for some way to be involved” when he came across Convention of States. Unbeknownst to him, the bonds he would soon build through the organization would lead him to an almost-miraculous, life-changing experience, further convincing him of the all-important power of relationships.

In 2020, Bruce discovered that he had cancer and had surgery, which was followed by an immunotherapy treatment known as BCG. He relied on this treatment for more than a year without issue, and as time went on, the treatments decreased in frequency. By 2022, he needed only one series of treatments every six months, down from one series every three months. But when he went in for the first of his twice-per-year treatments, he was informed that, for the first time, there was no BCG to be had. In fact, there was a worldwide shortage.

Throughout the treatment process, Bruce frequently shared his progress with his good friend, Dr. Bill Smith, who had likewise joined the Mississippi Convention of States team for similar reasons.

“I would call him up, or he’d call me to discuss various COS issues or just to check on each other very often,” explained Bruce. “If I had any questions about my treatments, I could always count on my friend Bill to give me an easily-understood layman’s explanation. This was a 'godsend.'" When Bruce learned his treatments for the first time were now unavailable, he updated Dr. Smith regarding this unhappy development. His friend immediately took action, and thanks to Dr. Smith’s contacts in his medical community, he managed to find Bruce a facility where he could receive the treatment he needed, despite the worldwide shortage.

To Bruce’s amazement, the new office treated him exceptionally well; he called it “unbelievable.”

“None of this would have happened without the COS connection between the two of us and Dr. Smith’s action.” When Bruce told Dr. Smith about this, Bill confessed that he might know of a possible explanation: grateful that the new office could accept Bruce as a patient, he had sent individual personal written thank-you notes to the physician, the nurse, and the receptionist at the new office, another example of relationship building.

Ultimately, from his experience, Bruce came away with an even greater appreciation for team building and the vitality of forming friendships.

“It’s about relationships,” he explained. “It’s about relationships with legislators. It’s about relationships with COS team members. And it takes time to build, especially quality relationships. You need to get to know their spouses’ names, things about the family—every family has things that are worrying them—learn a little about them. Just start building those bonds. And the more you build, the more effective you and the organization will become.”

Convention of States is grateful for Bruce Cook’s invaluable contributions to his state team and the nationwide COS cause. To join the largest grassroots army of self-governing activists in American history, sign the petition below and get involved in the fight today.