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Welcome to Iowa
Advocacy
For the first time since the first Advocacy Summit 12 years ago, we had advocates from all 50 states equaling nearly 350 advocates visiting nearly 275 Congressional offices! This means there were advocates from every state within the Heartland Region (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska).
During the Summit, advocates went through an interactive training, learned about the Arthritis Foundation’s advocacy priorities, and visited with Members of Congress.
For specific information on the priorities, please click on the following link or go to: http://www.arthritis.org/advocacy-priorities.php.
For more information on advocacy initiatives at the Arthritis Foundation, please contact Michele Pfeilschifter at mpfeilschifter@arthritis.org and/or (312) 880-4736.
Iowa was well represented by three youth advocates: Kristen Delaney of Fort Dodge; Delaney Kuhns of Des Moines; and Nikole Andersen of Nevada. Each child urged their representatives in Congress that more needs to be done for people with arthritis – more research, more public health initiatives and better access to arthritis treatments. Photographed on the left is Nikole Anderson (left), Representative Tom Latham [R-IA-O4], Delaney Kuhns (second from right), and Kristen Delaney (right).
Meet Delaney. She represented Iowa at this year's annual Advocacy Summit in Washington D.C.
The Arthritis Foundation appreciates her efforts!!
8-year-old Delaney Kuhns of Pleasant Hill, IA was just 6 years old, when she woke up one morning and tried to get out of bed and couldn't walk. She now has what is termed Polyarticular JIA, meaning five or more joints. Delaney attends weekly physical and occupational therapy sessions to help her build endurance and battle fatigue. Delaney also takes medicines that require monthly lab draws. She takes four pills a day to combat her JIA. In addition she also must endure a weekly injection shot and a weekly oral medication. Delaney and her mom Kate are excited to attend the 2011 Advocacy Summit so that they can talk with their congressman about the prevalence of juvenile arthritis.
How You Can Help
The Arthritis Foundation promotes government and private sector action to improve the lives of the 50 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
Looking For More Information?
For more information on how to become involved, please contact Michele Pfeilschifter at mpfeilschifter@arthritis.org or (312) 880-4736.
