Write your US House Representative: Support Ovarian Cancer

I'm not a very politically involved person. I vote every year (lucky for me, my polling location is a 5 minute walk down the street). I listen to debates. But other than one time in elementary school, I've never written to an elected official. This was the time to change that.

I got an email from Sam with a "call to action" so I did.

Take Action! Visit this page: http://capwiz.com/ovarian/issues/alert/?alertid=10539256&queueid=1552344766

The federal appropriations bill that has funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been vetoed by the President. The bill proposed a 3.1% increase for NIH funding, $6.75 million for Johanna's Law, and $5.5 million for the Ovarian Cancer Control Initiative. Congress can override the President's veto, and make ovarian cancer a priority!

So I clicked the link, and wrote my own version of the pre-written letter:

Subject: Please vote for the Labor-HHS appropriations bill in support of Ovarian Cancer

A very very dear friend of mine was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer at the age of 30. Samantha is an absolutely amazing woman and is one of the small percentage of women who have actually been able to beat the disease. Although Sam is not out of the woods (she's been in remission for 2 years), there's only a 25% chance that she'll stay in remission for 5 years.

My friends and I have gotten together and raised over $40,000 for Ovarian Cancer Research and Awareness with the HERA Women's Cancer Foundation, however, there's so much more that can be done.

I've been informed that President Bush recently vetoed the Labor-HHS appropriations bill that provides critical funding for ovarian cancer research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as well as funding for Johanna’s Law: The Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act which seeks to help women with gynecologic cancer get diagnosed in early stages, where chances of survival are greatest.

Please vote to override this veto. Its important for Women's health. Thank you for all of your work on this important matter.

Sincerely,
Jessica Sant

I hate this statistic: "When diagnosed after the disease has spread [outside the ovaries] the chance of five-year survival drops to less than 25%." I know it scares Sam to hear it and to read it, and for that I'm sorry that I included it in my letter -- but also -- hopefully it adds enough fear and realism to the letter to make people take notice.

So please, take a minute and write your congress person, ask them to override the veto so that Ovarian Cancer can receive some much-needed funding.