I picked this from another forum, as I understand Congress starts next Tuesday 12/5 and they want to make an impact on them about Parkinsons. Here is a sample letter that is being sent.

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Date
The Honorable [First Name] [Last Name]
U.S. Senate/U.S. House of Respresentatives
Washington, DC. 20510/20515

Dear Senator/Representative [Last Name]:

I/We seek your support for efforts to capitalize on the unprecedented opportunity in Parkinson's research today. Our nation's scientists are making great progress in Parkinson's research - identifying environmental factors, isolating rare genetic forms of Parkinson's, understanding the mechanisms of degeneration, and learning to repair the brain through cell transplantation and other surgical techniques. The promise of more effective treatments has created tremendous optimism among fellow members of the Parkinson's community.

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 Parkinson's leaves its victims unable to walk, to talk, even to move. Personal details about how you have been directly affected will make the letter more compelling .

The scientific community believes Parkinson's research is at a point where it is realistic to expect a cure in five to ten years. A cure would profoundly impact the lives of the million Americans living with Parkinson's - but the federal government must commit the necessary resources to turn the scientific promise into reality.

Last year, Congress charged the National Institutes of Health to develop a comprehensive Parkinson's reasearch agenda. In March, after meeting with the research community, clinicians, and patient advocates, the NIH submitted its plan, outlining an agenda and professional judgment funding projections for Parkinson's research for the next 5 years. The plan recommends a $71.4 million increase over existing Parkinson's research at NIH in the first year of the plan and an increase of nearly $1 billion over 5 years.

This plan represents an historic opportunity to make progress on the causes and treatment of Parkinson's disease in a focused and effective way and to speed the development of effective treatments for this devastating disease.

I/We urge you to fund the Parkinson's research agenda beginning in FY 2001 by including an additional $71.4 million for Parkinson's research in the Labor-HHS and Education Appropriations bill. The one million Americans with Parkinson's deserve no less. Thank you for your attention; I/we look forward to your response.

Sincerely,
[Your name, Address, and Phone Number]


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Darrell

Darrell I don't mean to dampen your enthusiasm, but I posted similar topic in the past and it didn't seem to get anyone excited.

What I discovered is every representative and senator have their own web site and I e-mailed everyone of them.

I did receive letters from two out of three that I contacted, and both letters were similar in that they bragged about all of their votes that increased funding for the NIH.

However, Dr. Lieberman has been making it clear that PD research needs more funds which would speed up the search for a cure.

Bruce

Bruce, Yeh, I know, but we gotta keep pluggin. We gotta find a cure, if not for ourselves for the future Bruce's and Darrell's.

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Darrell

Bruce and DArrell,
I like the idea of fighting for the future Bruce's and Darrell's. It may be years before we, the immediates, are blessed with a cure. But for the future - that is worth fighting for - and we are, too! It could be our own kids or grandkids that could be helped the most!
CC

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[This message has been edited by Pelicangirl (edited 01-12-2001).]