 |
 |
Here is a sample letter to Congress re the Udall bill (from the Parkinson's Action Network): The Honorable ______________, M.C. United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 OR The Honorable ________________ United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Dear Representative/Senator _________: I/we seek your support for an action which will benefit the Parkinson's community's great need for increased research support. I/we ask you to co-sponsor the Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research and Education Act. The bill, S684 and H.R. 1462, was introduced on April 6, 1995 by its principal sponsors, Mark Hatfield and Henry Waxman, and currently has over 200 House and Senate Co-sponsors. I [my husband/wife/parent etc.] suffer from Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological disorder that destroys brain cells controlling motor function. Available treatment only partially alleviates the resulting stiffness, tremor and slowness of movement. Eventually it leaves its victims unable to walk, to talk, even to move. [Revise for your own story] In addition to these devastating human consequences, Parkinsoon's financially cripples our nation: It costs an estimated $26 billion in direct and indirect costs per year. Meanwhile, U.S. support for direct Parkinson's research currently amounts to a more $26 per year per patient, which is far less than most other diseases receive. This is unfair to the Parkinson's community, and it ignores a tremendous scientific opportunity. Scientists say they have the potential for major treatment advances, and very possibly a cure of Parkinson's, in this decade. But this will not happen without an adequate research investment. The Udall bill would authorize the necessary expansion of Parkinson's research through strengthening of the NIH research effort, grants to scientific teams performing the highest priority Parkinson's research nationwide, and other programs including Morris K. Udall Research Excellence Awards and a centralized data bank. Please do not allow our community to be ignored any longer. To restore our hope, and eliminate a huge economic burden on our government and economy, we ask that you add your name as a co-sponsor of the Udall bill. Thank you for your attention. Please respond at your earliest convenience. Sincerely, [Your name, address, and phone number] ================= Margaret Monty [log in to unmask] =================