The CPF will celebrate National PF Awareness Week with more than 20 patients and patient advocates on Capitol Hill, and with hundreds of patients and family members reaching out to their own Members in their districts nationwide that week. In 2009, the organization received recognition for its National PF Awareness Week's efforts when it was a finalist for a national advocacy award by PR Week.

The CPF has been working closely with Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA) and Congressman Mike Castle (R-DE) on PFREA, the lead sponsors of the bill. This historic, bi-partisan legislation would authorize $16 million in new federal funding to create the first national patient registry for PF, and provide much needed support for research into the deadly lung disease.

"It takes each PF patient, each family member and their circle of friends to reach out to Congress and get this bill passed," said Mishka Michon, Chief Executive Officer of the CPF. "Having the voice of the patient community heard loud and clear will make things happen to bring attention and awareness to PF in Washington and beyond."

As part of the National PF Week efforts, there will be a walk in Washington, DC, not far from the Capitol steps, to bring attention and awareness to pulmonary fibrosis and the millions of lives it touches globally. This year, 2010, has been proclaimed international "Year of the Lung" by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and a coalition of like respiratory societies around the globe. The CPF is partnering with this coalition in a concerted effort to bring attention to lung issues. National PF Week will continue that effort.

This focused effort on the part of the CPF is moving into its eighth year. The progression from a bill of recognition of the disease, H. Con Res 182, which was passed in 2007 to a bill establishing funding for PF research, is indicative of increased responsiveness on the part of Congress. Over the years, the CPF and its advocates have met with hundreds of Members of Congress. 127 House Members are now supporters of the current bill.

PF patients, families and those affected by PF can help with 2010 Awareness efforts and help gain passage of the PFREA by joining the CPF's advocacy campaign, Campaign ACT. For further information, please visit the CPF at www.coalitionforpf.org, call us at 888-222-8541, or email us at info@coalitionforpf.org.

Summer is the Time to Turn up the Heat on Your Member of Congress to Support PF Bill
The Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 1079) continues to build momentum in the U.S. House of Representatives now with 133 Members of Congress signed onto the legislation. But as a midterm election year, time is of the essence in getting the bill completed in this Congress.

The CPF urges its membership to activate during the summer months for a final push to get the bill passed in the House and Senate. In the coming weeks, it is hoped the Senate companion bill will be introduced. Please call, email, or write your Member of Congress today to help pass the Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act!

We need your help now to insure the bill gets passed this Congress (since it's a Congressional election year, this means we don't have much time!). If you can't meet in person -- there are other ways you can make a difference! See below for details!

REMEMBER, THERE ARE THREE EASY WAYS TO HELP!

1. VISIT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IN DISTRICT

2. CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE OVER THE SUMMER BREAK

3. SEND A LETTER or EMAIL To see if your Member of Congress currently supports the bill and is a co-sponsor, go to: http://thomas.loc.gov/ look under "Legislation for Latest Congress" and type in "H.R. 1079" in the search box; then click the "bill number" radio button and then "Search".

1) CPF Advocacy Efforts This Summer - Get Involved Locally (VISIT YOUR MEMBER IN DISTRICT)

The CPF encourages you to schedule a meeting now with your member of Congress during the August recess when he/she is in your home district to support the Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act. Letters are important, but having a face-to-face meeting with your Member of the U.S. House of Representatives will allow you to share your personal story of your connection to PF and personally ask for your Member of Congress' support of H.R. 1079, the first legislation that will directly help PF patients! If your member is already a co-sponsor, visit him/her and thank them for their support. There are currently 133 co-sponsors on the bill. A full listing of members currently signed on is pasted further down in this email.

2) Take action today by calling your Representative! Please contact your House Representative NOW to request their cosponsorship of H.R. 1079 and ask them to support a Congressional hearing on PF!

How to Contact your Representative:
Call the Capitol Switchboard at 1-202-224-3121 and ask for your Representative or give your zipcode if you do not know their name. When you are connected to an office, ask for the Health Legislative Assistant. If you leave a voicemail message, include your name and phone number so that they can call you back. Sample phone message:

"I am a constituent and a Pulmonary Fibrosis (patient, family member, friend) and I am calling to ask Rep/Sen._______ to cosponsor the Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act, H.R. 1079. This bill will create a much needed national patient registry so that scientists and researchers can learn more about the disease as quickly as possible so that treatments may be found. There is currently no FDA approved treatment for PF and as many people die to it each year as to breast cancer. Please help us now by signing onto H.R. 1079 and supporting a hearing on PF to Rep. Pallone."

3) Send an email or letter to your Representative:

http://www.coalitionforpf.org/cpf_advocacy_week.php