From:   Michael Claeys
Community Outreach Coordinator      [log in to unmask]
For more information about the 1998 Public Policy Forum contact the
Parkinson's Action Network at (800) 850-4726 or email to [log in to unmask]

"Kudos to the members of the Parkinson's Alliance for their
participation in the recent American Academy of Neurology (AAN) meeting
and for gathering the signatures of over 500 neurologists on letters to
President Clinton, Speaker Gingrich Senator Specter and Congressman
Porter.   This tangible show of support from the professional community
gives valuable credibility to our ongoing campaign to secure increased
federal research funding.

This campaign has been driven by the sense of urgency that comes from
believing a therapeutic treatment or cure is soon attainable.
Endorsements from individual professionals and groups like the AAN help
convince Congress that Parkinson's research is indeed poised for a
breakthrough and justify the type of investment authorized by the Udall
Act.

Making the case to Congress also requires an organized and persistent
advocacy effort by citizens from across the country.  Patients,
caregivers and family members provide the human face and personal
connection that physicians and lobbyists simply cannot.

What can you do to help deliver this most personal and persuasive
message to Congress?  Attend the 1998 Public Policy Forum in Washington,
DC.  The Forum will be held June 14 - 17 at the Hotel Washington in
downtown DC.  The Forum's focus is face-to-face meetings between members
of the Parkinson's community and Members of Congress-particularly those
with direct influence over medical research funding.  In addition to
providing comprehensive training and support for lobbying meetings, the
Forum also features updates from leading Parkinson's researchers,
legislative briefings from Udall Act sponsors and other Capitol Hill
insiders, discussion of Medicare reimbursement and other areas where the
federal government impacts Parkinson's patients, and much more!

The Forum has grown and improved for the past four years, and this year
it will be even better-but what has and will continue to make the
Forum great is the energy and enthusiasm of those who attend.  Take a
proactive step to speeding the cure for Parkinson's, help insure that
Congress puts the money into the hands of the researchers who will find
the cure, learn valuable skills to take back to your support group and
community: attend the 1998 Forum!

For more information about the 1998 Public Policy Forum contact the
Parkinson's Action Network at (800) 850-4726 or email to [log in to unmask]

Michael Claeys
Community Outreach Coordinator

From: "Parkinson's Action Network" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
Organization: Parkinson's Action Network