BECOME PART OF THE CURE! HELP US SECURE PASSAGE OF H.R. 3502/S.2858!
During the week of February 15-19, 2010, The United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation urges you to make your voice heard and help secure co-sponsors for H.R. 3502 and S. 2858. Members of the U.S. House and Senate are scheduled to be back in their district offices during that week.
Both bills have a long way to go before they become law. The only way to insure passage is to demonstrate support and secure additional co-sponsors. That is why we are calling on you to help us to get both pieces of legislation enacted.
ALL UMDF MEMBERS ARE URGED TO PARTICIPATE IN AT LEAST ONE OR MORE ADVOCACY ITEM DURING THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 15-18, 2010!
CURRENTLY, WE HAVE 32 COSPONSORS FOR HR 3502 - OUR GOAL IS 100
WE HAVE 4 COSPONSORS FOR S. 2858 -OUR GOAL IS 25
Click on the links below for details on each of the available Advocacy Items.
Mobilization Idea #1 - Plan a local visit
Mobilization Idea #2 - Make the call
Mobilization Idea #3 - Write the letter
Encourage others to send a letter
Mobilization Idea #1 - Plan a local visit
Schedule an appointment with your Congressman and Senators
If this is the Grassroots Advocacy Action Item that you would like to take, follow the instructions below to make your visit a success!
Meeting with a U.S. Congressman or Aide
- Before your meeting, it would be a good idea to learn about our current legislation - Learn More Here
- Instruction Sheet for Setting Up a Face to Face Meeting - Download Here
- Talking Points for you to use during your Face to Face Meeting with a Congressman/Congresswoman - Download Here
- Leave Behind Materials for a Meeting with a Congressman/Congresswoman - Download Here
Included in this download are:
* A "Dear Colleague" Letter from Rep. McDermott, the sponsor of HR 3502.
* A copy of HR 3502
* A letter to President Obama, signed by more than 70 members of our scientific/medical community.
* A letter to the UMDF in response to the letter to President Obama from HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
* Information about the UMDF.
* A mitochondrial disease 'fact sheet'.
* Mitochondrial Disease: A General Background and Overview of NIH efforts.
The above information must be placed in a folder and left with the Congressman or his/her aide.
Meeting with a U.S. Senator or Aide
- Before your meeting, it would be a good idea to learn about our current legislation - Learn More Here
- Instruction Sheet for Setting Up a Face to Face Meeting - Download Here
- Talking points for the meeting with your Senators - Download Here
- Leave behind Materials for a Meeting with a U.S. Senator (you will need 2 copies, one for each Senator) - Download Here
* Senate Floor Comments from Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), who introduced the bill.
* A copy of S.2858
* A letter to President Obama, signed by more than 70 members of our scientific/medical community.
* A letter to the UMDF in response to the letter to President Obama from HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
* Information about the UMDF.
* A mitochondrial disease 'fact sheet'.
* Mitochondrial Disease: A General Background and Overview of NIH efforts.
The above Information must be placed in a folder and left with the Senator or his/her aide.
VERY IMPORTANT! - When you complete your meetings, tell UMDF about it! Share your story and let us know if there are any followup items needed from the National Office - Click here to file your report
Mobilization Idea Number #2 - Make the call
Telephone your Elected Officials and Ask for Cosponsorship
Your opinion on H.R. 3502 and S.2858 matters to your Congressman and Senators. They want to hear from you. We are asking that you make three phone calls. One call will be made to your representative in the House. The two other calls will be made to each of your U.S. Senators.
If this is the Grassroots Advocacy Action Item that you would like to take, we are providing an instruction sheet that helps you find the contact information you will need and a suggested script to follow for your phone calls. The sheet also provides information that directs you to an online form on which you can report the success of your Grassroots Advocacy Action effort.
Instruction Sheet on Calling the Offices of your Congressman or Senators - Download Here
VERY IMPORTANT! - When you complete your meetings, tell UMDF about it! Share your story and let us know if there are any followup items needed from the National Office - Click here to file your report.
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Mobiliation Idea Number #3 - Write the Letter
Use the UMDF Action Center to send a letter to your Elected Officials asking for Co-Sponsorship
If you have not already used the UMDF Advocacy Action Center, you are able to send letters to your elected official seeking cosponsorship of HR 3502 and S. 2858.
For instructions on how to use the UMDF Action Center- Download Here.
To visit the UMDF Advocacy Action Center - Click Here
The UMDF will automatically gets a report. Chart the effort in your state - Visit Here
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ENCOURAGE OTHERS - if you have sent your letters, encourage your family, friends and neighbors to send letters!
Please copy and send your family, friends, and neighbors this link and the information below the link.
http://www.umdf.org/friends&family.
In order to send a letter, all that is required is a name, address, city, state and zipcode.
Once this information is typed into the fields, proceed to the bottom of the page and click "Continue".
The Action Center will open and be available for use.
THERE IS NO NEED TO CREATE A USER NAME OR PASSWORD!
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