CPF Working with Congress to Introduce Legislation to Increase Federal Funding for IPF, Create National Patient RegistryThe CPF is encouraging ALL patients and their families and friends affected by IPF to write their member of Congress to express their support for this effort. For more information, contact Teresa Geiger at (888) 222-8541 to learn how you can help!
For the first time in the history of IPF, Congress is being asked to review and pass a substantial authorization of monies for the funding of research, a national patient registry and a public awareness campaign. This action represents a dramatic movement forward for all IPF patients, physicians, researchers and caregivers. The CPF will need the participation of all its members through letters and phone calls to Congressional representatives. The CPF membership is the organization’s most powerful weapon in Congress! Working with Congressmen Brian Baird (D-WA) and Mike Castle (R-DE), the CPF is preparing to introduce an IPF Bill during the first quarter of 2008. In earlier Action Alert newsletters , the CPF has already received the support of more than 20 members of Congress who have agreed to co-sponsor the Bill, and with the help of our members, we will increase that number dramatically.
Sample Letter of Support
Dear Congressman/Congresswoman,
As someone among the hundreds of thousands personally affected by idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a relentless and ultimately fatal disease that annually takes as many lives as breast cancer, I am writing to ask you to support legislation to help us stop this dreaded disease. A bill will be introduced to the Congress this year that calls for increased federal funding to step up the work to find answers to IPF.
IPF is a debilitating disease marked by progressive scarring of the lungs that gradually and cruelly robs people of their ability to breathe. IPF yields a median survival rate of fewer than three years and affects more than 128,000 people in this country each year. In fact, 40,000 people die each year from IPF. Despite its prevalence, very little is known about IPF and there is no known cause or FDA-approved treatment.
As your constituent and as someone who has been personally touched by this terrible disease, I respectfully request that you consider supporting this legislation and becoming a co-sponsor. It is time to get serious about a disease that is steadily on the increase.
Please consider co-sponsoring the bill - we need your support. Brian Baird’s office is leading the effort and they will appreciate your letting them know you support the request.
Sincerely,
[insert your name, address and phone number]
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