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Advocate for Mitochondrial Disease Funding

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Co-Sponsor H.R. 3502

H.R. 3502 was introduced onto the House Floor by Rep. Jim McDermott. The measure promotes an enhanced research effort aimed at improved understanding of mitochondrial disease and dysfunction and the development of treatments for mitochondrial disease.

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YOU MAY PERSONALIZE THIS LETTER! THERE IS A SPACE JUST BEFORE THE LAST PARAGRAPH. DELETE (Insert a personal Paragraph) AND BRIEFLY TELL WHY H.R. 3502 is important to you!

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Dear (recipient name),

Recently, Rep. Jim McDermott (D-7th/WA) introduced the “Mitochondrial Medicine Research and Treatment Enhancement Act”, also known as H.R. 3502.  I am writing to you to ask that you support this very important bill.  I believe this measure will enable further study of mitochondrial medicine, which presents us with truly cross-cutting research.

Mitochondria are often called the “powerhouses of the cell.”  They are specialized compartments within almost every cell and are responsible for producing the energy needed by our body to sustain life. Mitochondria combine oxygen from the air we breathe with calories from food to produce the energy required for all bodily functions.  If the mitochondria fail to produce sufficient energy, the cell will not function properly and organ systems will fail.

Research has revealed that mitochondrial dysfunction is at the core of many common illnesses and chronic conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, osteoporosis, cancer and even the aging process.   Medical researchers have already determined that 1 in 4000 children will develop a mitochondrial disease by age 10.    They are certain that the actual number is much higher.  In fact, a recent study in the UK found that 1 in 200 healthy people carry the mutation that could develop into a mitochondrial disease.

H.R. 3502 directs the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish an Office of Mitochondrial Medicine.  The newly created office will be directed to improve the coordination of research related to mitochondrial medicine within the institutes at the NIH and with outside researchers.  It also calls on the NIH to annually award five grants for multi project research programs related to mitochondrial medicine and five grants annually for integrated, multi project research programs related to mitochondrial medicine.  In addition, H.R. 3502 calls on the NIH to establish a “Mitochondrial Medicine Centers for Excellence” to promote interdisciplinary research and training related to mitochondrial medicine.   It also calls on the NIH to establish a national registry for the maintenance and sharing for research purposes and creates a biorepository for DNA and tissues collected from patients with mitochondrial disease and dysfunction for research purposes.

As you can see, a greater understanding of mitochondrial function could lead to treatments for a wide range of conditions and potentially help millions of people, but it is also very personal to me.

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As your constituent, I ask that you to help those affected by mitochondrial disease.  I urge you to be part of the cure and become a co-sponsor of H.R.3502

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