Help Increase Scleroderma Research
Call Your Congressional Leaders - Wednesday, Feb. 8
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About the Proposed Legislation
How Can I Help?
What Do I Need to Do?
Downloads and Other Ways to Help
Did You Participate?
Join scleroderma patients, family members, friends, caregivers, medical professionals, Foundation supporters and others on Wednesday, Feb. 8, for the 2012 National Congressional Call-in Day. This event is vital to help increase funding for scleroderma research and increase awareness campaigns about the disease in the U.S.
About the Proposed Legislation
The goal of the call-in day is to spread more awareness about scleroderma, while encouraging leaders in Washington to become cosponsors of current scleroderma-related research legislation. H.R. 1672, a bipartisan bill introduced by Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA) and Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE), currently has 37 cosponsors; while S.649, a Senate bill introduced by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, has four cosponsors.
The proposed legislation would expand federal support for scleroderma research and public awareness activities by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
How Can I Help?
Your personal calls and emails can influence leaders in Washington. When you share your stories about living with scleroderma or how it has affected someone you love, you help put a face to the disease; thus, you exemplify why this proposed research and awareness is so important to the hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. who have scleroderma. Your voice can be heard!
What Do I Need to Do?
It's simple! Call or email your elected officials in the House or Senate, and tell him/her your personal story about scleroderma, and how a public awareness campaign and new research about the disease could benefit you or your loved one.
Download these instructions for how to contact your elected officials by phone or email. The PDF document includes:
For more information, listen to a recording of the Advocacy Teleseminar held this month. (MP3)
Downloads and Other Ways to Help
Change Your Facebook Profile Image (Click this link to be taken to the download page and instructions) Select from three special designs to show your support on your Facebook profile. Urge your friends and family to do the same.
 Chat with us on Facebook at 11 a.m. (Pacific) Monday, Feb. 6. Join Brian Ross Adams, executive director of the Southern California Chapter, and chair of the Advocacy Committee, as he answers your questions about the proposed scleroderma legislation, how you can help or connect with others.
 Follow @call4cure on Twitter and help raise awareness about scleroderma and the Foundation's National Call-In Day on Feb. 8.
Did You Participate in Call-in Day?
We'd like to tally how many people participated in this year's call-in day. Please let us know if you took part. Send us an email at advocacy@scleroderma.org with the subject line "I Participated in the Scleroderma Call-in Day" to tell us about your experience. Thanks!
Thank Your for Taking the Time to Call or Email Your Leaders
If you have any questions, please contact the Scleroderma Foundation at (800) 722-HOPE (4673). |
