Cancer Rally

Hi Ladies... FYI, in case any of you wish to attend...

Ron

Dear Members of the “AACR SSP Family,”

As a valued participant in the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Scientist-Survivor Program (SSP), I am writing to make you aware of the Rally for Medical Research Hill Day, which is scheduled for September 17-18, 2014 in Washington, DC.  This important event will bring together nearly 300 institutions and organizations, representing millions of patients, survivors and their loved ones to advocate for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

There are several ways you can get involved in the Rally for Medical Research Hill Day events, including:

·       Attend the Rally Hill Day in Washington, DC, which will take place all day on September 18^th to meet with House and Senate offices;

·       Join the grassroots efforts, which will include participating in social media outreach in support of the Rally activities, as well as sending emails and calling congressional offices to urge them to support an increased investment in the NIH. The grassroots efforts are designed to complement the events taking place in Washington on September 18^th.

The Rally for Medical Research Hill Day comes at an important point in the congressional budgeting process, when our nation’s policymakers are expected to be considering how to resolve the fiscal year (FY) 2015 funding levels for many federal agencies, including the NIH. Rally Hill Day participants will specifically call on members of Congress to increase funding for the NIH for the health and economic security of our nation.

To kick off this year’s activities, the partnering organizations will host a reception on Wed. Sept. 17 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Kennedy Caucus Room (Room 325) in the Russell Senate Office Building. Senator **** Durbin (D-IL) and other congressional and advocacy community leaders will offer remarks.  On the following day, attendees will participate in key meetings with House and Senate offices to discuss the importance of medical research.

As a survivor and advocate, you undoubtedly recognize the critical and irreplaceable role the NIH (and National Cancer Institute) plays in stimulating scientific breakthroughs, which hold the promise for new cures and prolonged quality of life for many diseases, including cancer. One of the most important and forward-thinking investments our country can make is in medical research, but our ability to do so for the benefit of patients and their loved ones is contingent on a strong, bipartisan commitment from Congress to provide the necessary funding for the NIH. 

This September we will again stand united with hundreds of other advocates to call on Congress to invest in the NIH. We hope that you might be able to join with us in Washington, D.C. or participate in some of the grass roots activities that are being planned.  We will continue to keep you updated and informed. 

If you’d like more information or to register for the Rally Hill Day, please contact James Ingram, Senior Manager of Legislative Affairs, at 202-898-6499 or James.Ingram@aacr.org.  

Thanks!

Jon

Jon Retzlaff

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Office of Science Policy & Government Affairs