Grassroots
Advocacy and Kids' Summit
2010 Edward M. Kennedy Advocacy Scholarship Application
Greetings Illinois E-Advocates!
Join Us for An Arthritis and Exercise Public Forum!
Arthritis Action Day 2009 Springfield Wrap Up
How You Can Help
Looking For More Information?
The Advocacy & Kids’ Summit is YOUR chance to tell Congress about the needs of adults and kids with arthritis. You will meet personally with your Members of Congress and their staff to share your personal story of living with arthritis and how it impacts your life. Everyone is invited!
Activity sessions are specifically created for kids who are currently in kindergarten through eighth grade. Kids in ninth through twelfth grades attend the training sessions with their parent(s). All kids must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who also registers for the Advocacy Summit.
Details and registration information about the Advocacy & Kids’ Summit
Can't attend the Summit, but still want to tell your story to Congress? Here's your chance! Text version
See photos from 2009's Advocacy Summit
2010 Edward M. Kennedy Advocacy Scholarship Application
The Edward M. Kennedy Advocacy Scholarship is for an individual who has demonstrated public service to those impacted with arthritis in their community. Scholarship includes airfare and lodging at 2010's Advocacy and Kids' Summit read more here
Greetings Illinois E-Advocates!
Please click one of the following links to be directed to the November/December 2009 edition of the E-Advocacy Newsletter:
November/December Advocacy Issue
Highlights Include:
- Legislative Update from Springfield
- There is still time to register for this year’s Jingle Bell Run 2009! Go to www.chicagojbr.org or www.arthritis.org to find the Jingle Bell Run closest to you.
- Parents and Kids with Juvenile Arthritis – Join us at Winter Family Fun Day on Saturday, January 23, 2010. For more information go to www.chicagoafkids.org.
- Registration is officially open for the Advocacy Summit in Washington DC (March 1 – 3, 2010). Go to http://www.arthritis.org/advocacy-summit.php. You will also find information on how to apply for the Ted Kennedy Scholarship.
- Tell your Story! Even if you can’t attend the 2010 Advocacy Summit, we still want to hear from you.
- Become an Arthritis Ambassador today. You can now register online at: http://afambassador.kintera.org
For more information, please contact Michele Pfeilschifter, Advocacy Coordinator for the Arthritis Foundation Chapters in Illinois, at mpfeilschifter@arthritis.org or (312) 372-2080 x 27.
Join Us for An Arthritis and Exercise Public Forum!
Learn more about managing your arthritis pain at an informational program. Hear from a rheumatologist, physical therapist and exercise instructor on topics such as physical activity, joint protection and proper footwear. An introduction by a local legislator and an exercise demonstration are also part of the program. For more information, please call
Arthritis Action Day, 2009, Springfield Wrap Up
On March 25, 2009, over 30 advocates traveled to Springfield to meet with their state representative and state senator to tell their personal story and discuss the need for state arthritis funding. Events included:
• A Legislative Briefing for advocates
• A Legislative Breakfast
• Exhibits at the State Capitol
• Visits with state senators and representatives
A special thank you to our advocates for coming to Springfield and telling your story! Even if you could not attend Arthritis Action Day 2009 in Springfield, we still need your help. Please contact your state senator and state representative to ask for their support on the following bills:
SB 1295: Cosponsored by Senators Heather Steans and Jeffrey Schoenberg
HB 859: Cosponsored by Representatives Betsy Hannig, Beth Coulson, Eddie Washington, David E. Miller, Kenneth Dunkin, Daniel V. Beiser and Linda Chapa LaVia
• Additional cosponsors are being added to both of these bills as a result of our advocates talking to their legislators during Arthritis Action Day 2009!
• Purpose of Bill: Appropriates $350,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Public Health for the purposes of the Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act.
First Row, Left to Right
- Arthritis Foundation Board Members (Left to Right) David Porter, Kathi Deresinski, Representative Beth Coulson, Eric Gall MD, Rowland W Chang MD
- Board Member Kathi Deresinski, Representative Elaine Nekritz and staff member Michele Pfeilschifter
- Representative John Fritchey with Michele Pfeilschifter
Second Row, Left to Right
- Dr Mark Francis with Representatives Renee Kosel and Esther Golar
- Representative Betsy Hannig with Board Members David Porter and Rowland W Chang MD
- Advocates Sophie and Lee Meuch
Bottom Row, Left to Right
- David Porter and Senator William Delgado
- Advocates Effie Koliopoulos, Kristen Hartman and Susan Jacobs
- Associate Board Members of the Arthritis Foundation
See more photos
For more information on how to become involved, please contact Michele Pfeilschifter at mpfeilschifter@arthritis.org or (312) 372-2080 x 27.
How You Can Help
The Arthritis Foundation promotes government and private sector action to improve the lives of the 46 million Americans living with arthritis and chronic joint symptoms. We need your help, however, to get more government funding for arthritis research, to encourage early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment, and to improve access to quality health care for everyone with arthritis.
Visit our Advocacy Section for tools you need to become informed about the issues and to make your voice heard. You will find issue "backgrounders," Arthritis Foundation position statements, as well as links to other Web sites that may be helpful.
Become An Advocate -- Join the Arthritis Foundation Advocacy Network
Arthritis Advocacy Priorities -- Read about the issues
Contact Congress -- Quickly locate your legislators and send a message
What Can I Do? Get Congress to Support the Arthritis Bill
As a constituent, whose opinion matters, now is a great time to meet with your elected officials. Contact your Senators or Representative at town hall meetings and events or schedule an appointment with them in their local office to discuss the importance of the Arthritis Prevention, Control & Cure Act of 2005 and encourage them to cosponsor this historic legislation. Also, the chapters are meeting with State Senators and Representatives regarding Illinois arthritis legislation. State senators and representatives share their time in Springfield and in their district offices. Many are able to meet with you at their district offices to discuss arthritis issues.
Setting Up a Meeting
1. First, contact your local Arthritis Foundation Chapter and ask for the Chapter Advocacy Contact to inquire if the Chapter is coordinating a group of advocates for a visit. If not, the Chapter will have the necessary materials detailing arthritis legislation to give to the legislator or their local staff.
2. If you are not sure who your elected officials are, click on the "Contact Congress" link above.
3. Select each picture of your elected official and information about their district offices will appear at the top of the page.
4. To formally request a meeting with the legislator, write a letter - with your mailing address placed at the top - indicating why you would like to meet and mail or fax it directly to the main district office.
5. Remember to follow-up with a phone call to the office to confirm receipt and schedule the meeting. If the staff is unable to schedule a one-on-one meeting with the Member, the office may provide you with a time and place of a public event that the Member is hosting.
Meeting With Your Legislator
1. When making the appointment, you may end up meeting with a staff member. Don't be disappointed, the staff are very knowledgeable and support your Senators or Representative on various issues.
2. During the meeting, focus on your personal story with arthritis, and why it is important to prevent, control, and cure arthritis for yourself, family members or friends. Ask the legislator to cosponsor the Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act of 2005. If you are meeting with your state senator or representative, ask him or her to support Illinois arthritis legislation.
3. If you are not sure how to answer a question, don't be embarrassed. Offer to find out the answer and contact the office again.4. Don't forget to bring the chapter packet with the Arthritis Act information included to leave with the office.
Follow-Up Tips
1. Send a thank you note to your legislator and restate your request to have them cosponsor the arthritis legislation.
2. Provide feedback of the visit to the Office of Public Policy & Advocacy and your Chapter.
Looking For More Information?
You can find information on arthritis prevalence in Illinois, information on Illinois' United States Senators and Representatives, and information on issues and legislation at the Illinois Directory and Legislative Action Center.
For more information on how to become involved, please contact Michele Pfeilschifter at mpfeilschifter@arthritis.org or
