Advocacy and Kids' Summit Highlights
With nearly 400 advocates representing 40 states, the 10th annual Advocacy and Kids' Summit, held February 25-27, 2008, was a resounding success! During these action-packed three days, participants were given an introduction to how Congress works, learned about the Arthritis Foundation’s Advocacy Priorities for 2008, and conducted 255 meetings with their Members of Congress to let them know more needs to be done for people with arthritis – more research, more public health initiatives and better access to arthritis treatments and providers. The Advocacy Awards Dinner was also held to recognize and thank advocates, volunteers and staff, who champion the needs of 46 million Americans.
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Senator Edward Kennedy Accepts Advocacy Leadership Award
This prestigious award recognizes a policymaker who has performed exceptional service in support of the Arthritis Foundation’s mission by advancing public policy and the Foundation’s legislative agenda on behalf of the 46 million Americans (including 300,000 children) with arthritis. Senator Kennedy spearheaded the introduction and support of the Arthritis Prevention Control and Cure Act, S. 626, legislation that will strengthen arthritis research and public health initiatives, which would ensure that more people are diagnosed early and avoid pain and permanent disability. Watch his acceptance speech.
Results from the Summit
Due to their hard work seven Senators and Representatives have co-sponsored the arthritis bill in just the last few days in response to meeting with our advocates during the Summit. Letters requesting the arthritis bill be “mark-up” are starting to be sent to Chairmen Dingell (D-MI) and Kennedy (D-MA) and increased Congressional support for increased research and public health funding are also starting to come in.
Share the Experience
Browse through pictures of Advocates in action during Capitol Hill visits, the Advocacy Awards Dinner, and other moments captured from the Advocacy Summit. If you were there, share the experience with others and upload your own pictures. Upload your videos to YouTube and tag them "arthritisadvocacy" and "advocacysummit2008" so others can easily find and view your efforts in Washington.
In the News
New Mexico Senator signs cosponsors arthritis bill after meeting 13-year-old advocate, Megan Belzer, from Santa Fe.
Michigan family visits their Members of Congress. The Brian daughters, Jessica (12) and Olivia (9), "just want to find a cure." Watch them tell their story.
- IL high school senior attends Advocacy Summit for sixth time because "somebody has to have a voice." Kristen Hartman has juvenile arthritis and has missed 25 days of school simply because she could not get out of bed. She is proof that arthritis isn't an old person's disease and the passage of the Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act will benefit 46 million Americans, 300,000 children.
How You Can Get Involved
You may not have made the trip to Washington, but you can still visit Congress. Send a personalized message that includes a picture or even video to stress the impact that arthritis has on our nation.
- Review the arthritis priorities.
- Become an Advocate.
- Schedule/attend a town hall meeting.
- Send a personal message.
