Please write
letters to the following elected officials on behalf of the melanoma
community. These two individuals have been selected because they
are the chairpersons of the health committees in their particular
branch.
The Honorable
W.J. "Billy" Tauzin
Chairman,
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce
2125 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
AND
The Honorable
Judd Gregg
Chairman, The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
393 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-2904
The outside
of the envelope should read The Honorable and the person's name,
the salutation on the letter should read Dear Senator or Congressman.
Please write
a letter asking for a hearing on the disease melanoma. We would
prefer that the letters contain certain information but that they
be individualized to each person. Please include the basic facts:
Approximately
55,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year
9,600 deaths from it this year
It is the number one cancer killer of women between 25-40
We have no current cure or no standard treatment.
Treatment for metastatic has not improved over the last 40 years.
Please make
the second paragraph personal to you and your experience. Please
tell them about a person with melanoma and tell them about the
battle.
The last paragraph
should be specific and ask for a Senate or House hearing depending
on who the letter is to. This is a grass roots campaign and we
are looking for numbers. Please encourage those who know about
you or your loved one to write on your behalf. Please hand write
the envelope for the look of a personal letter. Please include
a photo if you have one of the person who is ill or the person
who has lost their battle. The last paragraph should be one of
thanks in advance for the help he will provide.
