Hi everyone! Your urgent help is needed. On April 23, 2009, U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy re-introduced Bill H.R. 2084, the "Prevention, Awareness, and Research of Autoimmune Diseases Act of 2009" (PARAiD). With this bill's passing, over $43Million of funding would be made available for autoimmune research, education and awareness.
As many as 23.5 million Americans suffer from an autoimmune disease, such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, celiac, and Grave's Disease to name a few. The passing of bill H.R. 2084 would be a major step forward in researching and better understanding autoimmune diseases.
FOR READERS WHO LIVE IN THE U.S., YOUR HELP IS NEEDED! WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW
Email your congressman/woman asking them to support this important bill (H.R. 2084). Explain why it's important to you, and explain your personal story if you or someone you know is affected by an autoimmune disease. Better still, ask him/her to become a cosponsor of this bill. Be sure to keep it short, and to the point. (Find your house representative here)
Then email your senators and do the same thing: ask for their support, tell them why it's important to you, and explain your personal situation. (Find your state senators here)
SO HOW DOES A BILL GET PASSED IN THE U.S. GOVERNMENT?
First, it has to be introduced. Second, it gets referred to committee(s) that deliberate, investigate and revise the bill. H.R. 2084 is at this stage in the process. The majority of bills never make it past this phase. If a bill does move through committee, then it is voted on in the House, then the Senate, then signed by the President.
There are over 100 autoimmune diseases. And there is no cure for them. Some can be life-threatening. That's why broad-based autoimmune disease research and education is so necessary. Please show your support for this very important legislation.
Also, you can Read Full Text of H.R. 2084 here.
