Subject: The Advocate, Update, July 10, 2003 From: Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2003 10:22:08 EDT
Hello All Advocates,
I haven't updated you for a bit as not to interrupt your summer activities. However, MS never takes a rest and the need for a cure for MS never takes a holiday. Our cure will come one day and that cure can only come from research and the monies needed to fuel that research. A large part of our advocacy is our tax monies that go to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for research. To get a fair share for MS, the National Multiple Sclerosis has called MS advocates to action. Everyone, please respond to this important call to action. Below is the information and instructions to ensure MS research goes forward, and the day we are cured of MS is closer.
SUPPORT
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH) FUNDING
July 9, 2003
NEED FOR ACTION:
Fiscal Year 2004 funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is in danger. Following the Fiscal Years 1999 -2003 NIH budget doubling effort, NIH is facing its lowest budget increase in years. The House Appropriations Committee has approved a Fiscal Year 2004 NIH appropriation of $27.7 billion. The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved NIH funding at $27.9 billion.
If you have further questions, please always feel free to email me at ytreiguts@aol.com and thanking you many times over for your advocacy.
The Society is calling on Congress to maintain its commitment to biomedical research by funding NIH at $30 billion in Fiscal year 2004.
The Society is very concerned that the current House and Senate funding levels will impede the momentum of the doubling effort and threaten the stability of the medical research enterprise. Many believe there is hope the full Senate will provide a larger NIH increase; the Senate is expected to vote on NIH funding next week.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO NOW:
Call your Senators immediately and ask them to:
· Support a total Fiscal Year 2004 NIH appropriation of at least $30 billion.
· Tell your Senator why MS research is important to you / your family. So little is known about the cause of MS and appropriate treatments that it is imperative Congress maintain the momentum of support for NIH research.
INSTRUCTIONS:
· To call our Senators' D.C. offices, dial the US Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 or telephone; or
Sen. Dick Durbin, Chicago office (312) 353-4952, Springfield office (217) 492-4062, Washington office (202) 224-2152;
Sen. Peter Fitzgerald, Chicago office (312) 886-3506, Springfield office (217) 492-5089, Washington office (202) 224-2854
Yolanda Treiguts, Chair
Advocacy/Government Relations Committee
Greater Illinois Chapter
National Multiple Sclerosis Society