Effective advocacy -- part 2

[cordy@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Why should Congress fund additional Parkinson's research?

There is one compelling reasons to increase funding of Parkinson's research.  
It is what distinguishes Parkinson's from the other major diseases -  the 
neuroscientists  are near unanimous in their view that we know more about 
Parkinson's than any other n
e
urological affliction and WE ARE CLOSE TO FINDING CURE.
 We must emphasizes this point over and over.

It is the answer to those who  object to targeting specific diseases by 
Congress.  Maybe the NIH's philosophy of pursing the best science is in the 
broader picture the proper course, but we are close to a cure with Parkinson's. 
  Let us allocated the nee
d
ed resources and put this affliction behind us.  Activity Parkinson's with

It is the answer to those who wish to balance the budget.  Spend a relatively 
small amount to cure Parkinson's and reap huge benefits for years to come my 
eliminating the costly medications, nursing  home care and lost productivity.  
All of these are pos
s
ible because we are close to a cure in Parkinson's.

It is the answer to those concerned about human fetal tissue research.    There 
are so many other promising avenues, including non human fetal transplants that 
funding increased Parkinson's research is perhaps the best way to eliminate the 
concerns of th
o
se who object to the use of human fetal tissue.  This is possible only because 
we are closed to a cure in Parkinson's.

When speaking to Congressmen than Senators we are told to tell our own stories. 
 There are many tragic stories, but ours is compelling because something can be 
done about it for a relatively modest amount by federal budget standards.  That 
is why persona
l
 contract is so important.  It is extremely difficult for someone to look you 
in the  eye, knowing that they might eliminate your suffering and refuse to do 
so. This is possible only because we are closed to a cure in Parkinson's.

As we begin the final effort to pass the Udall Bill, we                         
        
willbeaskingyoutoredoubleyourletterwritingandphonecontractwithyourlegislators.PerhapsmoreimportantisforsomeonewithParkinson'stovisiteverySenatorsandCongressmen.Don't
w
ait for someone else to make this personal contract.    Surely it would be an 
awful feeling to see this legislation fall short by a few votes and to realize 
you could have made the difference.  It is far better to have several visit 
than to have none.  W
i
th both of these efforts we must continually emphasize WE ARE CLOSE TO FINDING 
CURE.