Share Your Medical Research Story

With terms like continuing resolutions, sequester and budget cuts, federal funding for medical research conducted at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) can be very confusing (check out our latest blog post for more details!). Fortunately, the way to influence lawmakers is simple. As a You’re the Cure advocate, you possess the most powerful tool to sway the mind of elected officials: your story. And we need those stories more than ever.

Due to sequestration cuts last spring, five percent, or $1.5 billion, was cut from medical research and could potentially result in the loss of 20,500 jobs, 640 research grants and countless medical breakthroughs. I think you would agree that enough is enough!

Your story shows how important medical research is to all Americans. Has your life been improved by medical research? Tell us your story today!

Need help getting started? Here are a few ideas:

• Have you or a loved undergone a lifesaving surgery?
• Do you or someone you know take blood pressure medication or another prescription regularly?
• Do you have a medical condition and are hoping on a medical breakthrough in the near future?
• Are you a researcher and have felt the effects of these budget cuts in your work?

Research is crucial for advancing our country's medicine. Work at the NIH holds the key to saving countless numbers of lives, but that can only happen if Congress continues investing.

Will you please share your story with us, so we can put a face to medical research?

Earlier this week, a bipartisan committee from both the House and Senate announced a deal that would set overall government spending for the next two years. If both the House and Senate pass this deal, the next step is for committees in both chambers to decide how much funding government programs receive, including NIH. That is where we will need your help again. Stay tuned for more ways to protect medical research in the future!

P.S. In order to share your story, you will need a complete community profile. If you have not done so yet, click here!