SAMPLE LETTER

Today's Date

Request for support for the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Autoimmune Diseases Research Plan
Released in January 2003
Unveiled to Congress in March 2003

Dear Senator Specter/ Representative Regula:

I recognize the importance of the newly released National Institutes of Health (NIH) Autoimmune Diseases Research Plan to millions of Americans and request full implementation of this plan. I urge you to include funding for the research plan in FY2004 appropriations.

This comprehensive and congressionally mandated research plan is ground-breaking because it covers all autoimmune diseases and recognizes them as a related entity. Different autoimmune diseases are often found in families, and individuals often have more than one autoimmune disease. The plan also brings different medical specialties and researchers from the various government agencies and NIH institutes together to share information and coordinate research.

Autoimmune diseases affect 14-22 million Americas, or 5 to 8 percent of the U.S. population. These chronic diseases are a major cause of disability, as well as loss of quality of life and productivity. They are also among the top 10 causes of death among American women under 65 years of age.

Sjogren’s syndrome is one of the most common autoimmune diseases, affecting approximately 4 million Americans, ninety percent of whom are women. The immune system targets moisture-producing glands and causes decreased saliva and tears. Sufferers can also face devastating fatigue, joint pain, and involvement of any body organ or system. Sjogren’s, like many autoimmune diseases, cuts across all medical specialties, and this has hindered efforts to develop effective diagnostic tools and treatments. The NIH research plan will synergize research on this genetically and clinically related family of chronic and debilitating diseases.

The NIH has forged a plan involving input from every NIH institute, other government health agencies, nonprofit autoimmune patient groups, and medical and scientific experts from around the country. We recognize the tremendous impact this new plan can have on the lives of many Americans who suffer from many different autoimmune diseases, including Sjogren’s syndrome. Expert reviewers of the NIH Autoimmune Diseases Research Plan estimate funding at $450 million.

Sincerely,

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