Sample letter:
Please print out and edit as necessary then send it to your legislature.
US Representative_________/US Senator_________
Office Address:
Rayburn,Cannon, or Longworth (House)
Russell, Dirksen, or Hart (Senate)
Dear Representative/Senator:
I am writing to express my strong support for increased funding toward finding
a cure for epilepsy.
Over 50 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with epilepsy. In the
United States, more than 2.5 million people of all ages have the disease. Of
those 2.5 million, almost two million - approximately 80 percent - report limited
or no relief from existing treatments. The severe effects of epilepsy in childhood
can cause developmental delays and begin damage, which lead to a lifetime of
dependency and accruing costs - both to the individual and society. The national
economic impact of epilepsy (direct and indirect costs) exceeds an estimated
$12.5 billion annually.
(INSERT YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES IF APPLICABLE. THIS IS NOT A REQUIREMENT
BUT COULD MAKE THE LETTER MORE IMPACTFUL. INCLUDE THINGS LIKE AGE OF CHILD,
HOW THEY HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY EPILEPSY, AND HOW THIS HAS CHANGED YOUR LIFE.)
While the affects of epilepsy are profound on both our families and our economy,
federal commitment to research has lagged far behind the urgent need for a
cure. Epilepsy is a major health problem, affecting more people than Multiple
Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, and Parkinson's Disease combined.
Historically, research on epilepsy has been under-funded. Even as the budget
for National Institutes of Health has doubled, epilepsy has received only nominal
increases.
In order to increase research efforts into epilepsy, a volunteer driven, grassroots
organization dedicated to finding a cure for pediatric epilepsy has been established
by a group of parents who have struggled day to day with the affects of epilepsy
on a child or loved one. The Charlie Foundation To Help Cure Pediatric Epilepsy
is reaching out to legislators and public policy leaders to emphasize the critical
need for substantial federal involvement in the search for epilepsy.
I urge you to contact Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson
to increase your support for increased funding for epilepsy research. I'd appreciate
a copy of any correspondence you have with the Secretary or any information
you receive relating to increased funding for epilepsy research so we can include
your work on our Charlie Foundation website.
I appreciate your attention to any letter and I look forward to hearing from
you soon.
Sincerely,
(INSERT YOUR NAME)
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