Dear Friends,
As individuals and families affected by a rare genetic disease, we depend upon the groundbreaking research performed at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and through NIH grants to researchers throughout the US. In fact, most ongoing CAH-related in the US is supported through grants from NIH. Federal funding for NIH is in jeopardy and the number of new grants could be cut by a third! Please contact your Representative and Senators immediately and urge them to complete the final year of the doubling of the NIH budget. You can fax letters directly to your congressional representatives by going to this URL: http://www.capitolconnect.com/fundnihnow/ This is time sensitive and should be done ASAP.
The new Congress is trying to complete action on FY 2003 appropriations that are currently being funded at FY 2002 levels. In attempting to complete the FY03 appropriations process, Congress may pass smaller spending levels that put the NIH doubling at risk. It is also possible that Congress may fail to act, and NIH will be funded for the entire year at last year’s levels.
If NIH is funded at the current FY2002 level for the rest of this year:
* new grants will be cut from a projected 9800 to
approximately 6600 awards, and
* the NIH-wide success rate will drop from the current 32%
to 20-22%.
When accessing the URL above, take a moment to personalize your letter and explain what these potential cuts will mean to CAH research and future therapies and cures for America’s CAH patients.
Faxed letters generated by the URL above are the most effective and persuasive form of communication. If you do not have time to send a fax, please call your representatives. Operators at the U.S. Capitol Switchboard (202-224-3121) can connect you directly to the offices of your Senators and Representative.
If you would take 5 minutes to write/call your Congressional Representative and US Senators, you really can make a difference.
Sincerely,