We cannot ignore the fact that progress in diabetes research is highly dependent on the research dollars appropriated each year by Congress. JDRF invites you to become part of the world's largest fundraising effort by becoming a legislative advocate on behalf of diabetes research. Diabetes is a nonpartisan disease and our legislators in Congress need to hear from everyone touched by diabetes. You will receive the Government Relations Newsletter, Legislative Updates and Legislative Alerts at various times throughout the year. These will prompt you to write to your members of Congress, conveying our need for increases in federally funded diabetes research.
Phone calls are also very effective.
You may print our sample letters to help you get started on this important task. Grant's Small Voice Makes a Difference in Washington. November 1998 saw the election of Kansas 3rd District US Representative, Dennis Moore. Shortly thereafter, Tish and Grant began writing and calling Congressman Moore to encourage him to join the bipartisan Diabetes Caucus in the House of Representatives. Mr. Moore was very receptive and supportive of our efforts on behalf of JDRF and of government funding.