Connect Virtually with Members of Congress Online

Hundreds of advocates are appearing in their offices this week and counting on you to show up in their inbox.

This week hundreds of advocates will meet with their members of Congress to rally support for important arthritis-related legislation.  Get up to the minute details on the 2010 Advocacy and Kids' Summit.

While we're excited to have them in Washington, D.C. with us, it isn't enough.  Members of Congress hear from hundreds of advocates each month and in order to keep their eyes and ears on arthritis, they must know their constituents care. Your members of Congress are responsible for serving their constituents, but they have to know what you think in order to represent you well.  That's why we’re proud to once again introduce Virtual Summit 2.0 – reaching out to our Members of Congress in a whole new way. Not only will you be able to send a letter to your Members of Congress, but also send yourself.

Building on your ability to personalize messages we provide you via the Virtual Summit, you will be able to attach a picture of yourself – or even send a video message – to Members and their staff.

How To Participate:

Your story of how arthritis has impacted your life or the lives of your loved ones is important not only to you but to your member of Congress. Below are links to five issues and corresponding pre-drafted letters.  To begin, select a link, enter your zip code and take a minute to personalize the letter with your story.  When you've finished one letter, move to the next issue.  It takes less than 15 minutes to make a world of difference for people living with arthritis.

Pass the Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act

Now is the time to raise our hands. Petition your members of Congress to cosponsor the Arthritis Act. Let's make 2010 the year Congress can't turn away from the power of 46 million. Write your Senate and House members.

Help the CDC Implement Proven Arthritis Treatment and Prevention Programs in Your State

Current CDC funds allow their highly effective prevention and treatment programs to reach only 12 states.  Tell your members of Congress that arthritis knows no boundaries and ask them to support a $10 million increase to expand the arthritis program to an additional fourteen states.

Fight Arthritis Through Biomedical Research at the National Institutes of Health

 Research is closer than ever to finding a cure for arthritis.  In order to continue making strides, the National Institutes of Health need additional resources.  Write your members of Congress today and ask for a 12.5% increase for the National Institutes of Health research program.

Support the Troops and Their Family Members with Arthritis with Research at the Department of Defense

 Soldiers are 45% more likely to get diagnosed with arthritis than nonmilitary civilians.  Ask your members of Congress to support the troops through arthritis research at the Department of Defense.

How to Send your Member of Congress a Video Message

Interested in sharing your story via streaming video? Check out the resources below to help you start thinking about what you want to share with your Member of Congress, as well as detailed directions on how to upload and  send your message.

Are you ready? Grab your camera and/or video camera and help shine a spotlight on your important personal story – Congress needs to do more for people with arthritis!!!

Best Practices for Making a Video Advocacy Message

How To Upload Your Video Advocacy Message to YouTube.com 

Select Frequently Asked Questions from YouTube.com:

• Making Videos
• Uploading Videos to YouTube:

Grab your video's url after upload and share it in the "See Me" box that appears at the bottom of each page linked above.