The Cause

On April 23, 2009, Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) re-introduced the PARAiD Act of 2009.  The act has the potential to infuse more than $43 million into new funding for autoimmune disease research, awareness, and education.  H.R. 2084, also called the �Prevention, Awareness, and Research of Autoimmune Diseases Act of 2009� (PARAiD), will bring new funding to the following areas: 

• Research on Environmental Triggers of Autoimmune Diseases


• Grants to Increase Awareness of Autoimmune Diseases


• Grants for Education on Relationship between Autoimmune Diseases and Mental Illness


• Loan Repayment Program Regarding Physician Research on Autoimmune Diseases


• Research and Database on Biomarkers of Autoimmune Diseases


• Click here to read the complete text of the PARAiD Act of 2009:
  http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:h2084
  

Action Needed
To Reach our goal of 80 co-sponsors in 90 days each of  you must:

• Write a letter to your congressman asking for support of H.R. 2084 and requesting that he/she become a co-sponsor.  Be sure to include details of your story with autoimmune disease, letting your Rep. know why this is important to you as a constituent. Send by Email or Fax.


• Call your congressional representative to ask for support for H.R. 2084 and request that he/she become a co-sponsor.


• Forward this message to friends and colleagues requesting that they do the same.


• Please note that ANY letters, phone calls, or visits must be reported back to AARDA so that we can follow up and ensure the co-sponsorship!  Send us copies of all correspondence and dates of calls and visits to aarda@aarda.org .

How to Get Started!

• Find your congressional representative: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml


• Write your email using our sample template (see below).  Personalize where indicated.


• Send your email/fax of support to your congressional representative https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml and send AARDA a copy of your correspondence so that we can track your support � Simply cut/copy and paste and Email it to us at aarda@aarda.org.


• Call your representative to ask support for H.R. 2084 and request that he/she become a co-sponsor because of the impact that autoimmune diseases has had on your life and because you are a constituent who wants his/her support.  Get the phone number for your congressional representatives - https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Sample Support Letter: 

January XX, 2010

The Honorable INSERT NAME
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative XX LAST NAME XX:

As your constituent and one of the 23.5 million Americans currently suffering from one of the more than 80 chronic autoimmune diseases, I implore you to support H.R. 2084, the �Prevention, Awareness, and Research of Autoimmune Diseases Act of 2009� (PARAiD), which has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health. 

INSERT PERSONAL STORY (One paragraph)

Introduced by Representative Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI), and Representative Cliff Stearns (R-FL), the PARAiD Act calls for a Congressional authorization to support funding for autoimmune disease research, awareness, and prevention. The PARAiD Act will fund vital sectors of research, innovative programs, and aid in the discovery of preventive measures for autoimmune disease patients. The bill includes research on environmental triggers of autoimmune diseases, grants to increase awareness, grants for education on the relationship between autoimmune diseases and mental illness, a loan repayment program regarding physician research on autoimmune diseases, and research and database development on biomarkers of autoimmune disease.

Passage of H.R. 2084 has the potential of being an important catalyst in developing solutions, awareness, and preventive measures for a category of diseases, which are burdening the American family at a cost of more than $100 billion per year.  As your constituent, I seek your co-sponsorship of H.R. 2084.

Sincerely,

INSERT NAME and ADDRESS

 East Detroit, MI April 12, 2010:  “What Every American Needs to Know about Autoimmune Disease” forum is taking place Saturday, April 17, 2010, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Marriot Houston Hobby Airport Hotel, Pasdena Room (9100 Gulf Freeway, Houston, TX). The forum is one of a series of programs being produced around the country to provide necessary information for autoimmune disease patients, their families and friends, as well as the general public. 

A growing concern worldwide, autoimmune diseases affect women 75 percent more often than men, are rising in the U.S. and around the world, and currently are one of the top 10 killers of women under the age of 65.  Sessions at the FREE Public forum will include “What Is Autoimmunity?” which will provide information on the cause of autoimmunity, the fact that it runs in families, and knowing one’s risk factors for autoimmune disease.  Also, the forum features sessions on “What’s New in Autoimmune Disease Research and New Therapies on the Horizon,” as well as “Coping with Autoimmune Disease,” highlighting lifestyle adjustments to assist with coping, and family relationships affected by a family member who is suffering with an autoimmune disease. 

The program will include tips for patients on how to become their own best advocate in taking responsibility for one’s health in an environment with limited awareness of one’s disease by both doctors and the public alike.  Top names in autoimmune research, literature, and advocacy will be featured at the forum, such as world renowned autoimmunity expert Noel R. Rose, M.D., Ph.D., Director of Johns Hopkins University Center for Autoimmune Disease Research.  

Additionally, the program will include award-winning medical journalist and co-author of The Autoimmune Connection, Rita Baron-Faust, as well as Virginia Ladd, President/Executive Director of host organization the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA).  hile the program is free, space is limited.  To reserve your seat, please call (586) 776-3900 or register online at http://houstonpublicforum.eventbrite.com/.