American Society of Hematology

On February 13, Congress passed a final version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1) which included $10 billion in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). President Obama signed the bill into law on February 17.

This important funding will support additional competitively awarded research grants and help contribute to the economic strength of the nation by creating skilled jobs in communities nationwide.

Grassroots advocacy by the research community was crucial to securing this important funding for NIH and ASH thanks everyone who participated in the Society's advocacy efforts. Please take a moment to contact your Senators and Representatives to thank them for their support of biomedical research and including funding for NIH in the economic recovery package.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As a hematologist interested in research on blood disorders, I write to thank you for your support of research conducted at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by including important funding for NIH in the economic recovery package that Congress recently passed and was signed into law by President Obama.

NIH-sponsored research leads to cures, saves lives and fuels our economy. The funding for NIH contained in the economic recovery package is crucial to advancing groundbreaking basic, clinical, and translational research, and will help fund research into cures and treatments for millions of Americans with blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma; bleeding disorders such as hemophilia; clotting problems such as thrombosis; and, genetic disorders such as sickle cell disease, and Cooley's anemia, among others.

The funding also contributes to the economic health of our nation by creating jobs and increasing the output of goods and services. The medical schools, teaching hospitals, universities, and research institutes where this research takes place are among the largest employers in their respective communities. The return on this investment will be jobs and economic stimulus in every state in the short-term and healthier, more productive Americans in the long-term.

Thank you for your interest in this issue and I appreciate your support. Please contact me if I can provide additional information to you.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
February 18, 2009