I've been encouraging relatives and friends to write their senators and
 congressmen regarding Udall bill support.  They often need help and
 I've generated the attached fact sheet to enclose with a personal note
 or letter. I've also attached a sample letter to be adapted.  Modify
 and use as you wish.



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S684 and HR1426 - The Morris K. Udall Parkinsons Research and Education Act


Udall Bill - Provides $100M/year for Parkinson's Research for 5 years

The Udall Bill authorizes $100 million for the National Institutes of
 Health to conduct Parkinsons Disease basic research, expanded clinical
 research, a coordinated national research agenda, establish 10 PD
 research centers, award research excellence, establish a databank of
 risk factors, and fund a national education program for training
 health care professionals.

Why should Congress fund additional Parkinson's research?

1. Parkinsons has Wide Ranging and Devastating Effects. An estimated
 1.5M Americans have Parkinsons Disease (PD), a chronic neuro-disorder
 that progressively attacks the body's ability to move. Although
 medications can be effective at masking symptoms in the early stages,
 over time medications become ineffective and the afflicted become
 incapacitated by tremor, stiffness, and similar paralyzing effects.
 Because PD does not shorten life span, Parkinsonians generally become
 wholly dependent for many years. The total physical, emotional, and
 financial drain is devastating for those diagnosed, caregivers,
 families, and friends (8-10M total affected).

2.  High Probability Breakthrough. Neuroscientists uniformly agree that
 Parkinson's is the most easily cured neurological disorder because it
 affects very specific brain cells. Multiple advances have positioned
 Parkinsons for a major breakthrough. Many believe a cure is possible
 within five years, given proper funding. Moreover, conquering
 Parkinsons is considered to be  stepping stone research  to more
 complex neuro-pathologies such as Altzheimers and ALS.

3. High Leverage Investment. Currently, Americans spend $6B/year on PD
 medications and $25-50B/year for total care, support, and lost
 productivity. This figures at $4K-$8K/year per Parkinsonian. In this
 sense, the Udall legislation offers high leverage  - spending $100M/yr
 for five years to save $25B/yr forever. Moreover, if the investment
 speeds progress in other nero-diseases, the Udall funding becomes
 doubly leveraged.

4. Critical Mass Research Funding. Parkinsons research funding has been
 overlooked. At present, government funded PD research is at the level
 of $30/yr per Parkinsonian, compared to over $300/yr per multiple
 sclerosis patient,  $295/yr per cancer victim, and $1,069/yr per AIDS
 patient. The Udall bill restores a measure of funding equity and
 establishes a research program commensurate to the opportunity for
 breakthrough.


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June 10, 1996



The Honorable XYZ
United States Senate or Congress
Washington, DC 20510


Re:  S684 and HR1426 The Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research & Education Act


Dear   XYZ

I would appreciate knowing your position on this important health bill
 which currently has over 200 House and Senate co-sponsors.

More and more young people are being diagnosed with Parkinsons - a
 progressive neurological disorder that controls motor functions. Two
 members of my family have been diagnosed and have joined the 1.5M
 afflicted and wider circle of  8-10M caregivers, families, and
 relatives who are also affected.

What triggers PD is unknown, but today's treatments provide temporary
 relief and become less and less effective over time. The good news is
 that scientists and research physicians agree that Parkinsons is
 poised for a major breakthrough. Of course, progress is also
 controlled by funding, which is exactly what the Udall bill provides.

I have attached a summary of  four reasons for an upgrade in government
 support to PD research along with its long-term economic and human
 benefits. I should also point out that PD research funding is high
 leverage because breakthroughs will apply to Altzheimers, ALS, and
 other neuro-disorders. It also appears that the PD research funding
 level is presently far less than for many other diseases.

I feel strongly about the Udall bill. I am asking you to become a
 co-sponsor for it and to support its passage. In case you do not share
 these feelings, I would welcome the opportunity to respond to any
 concerns you have. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.





Name
Address