Two words that are used most when people contact Members of the House or Senate are: “I want,” and “I need.” Representatives and Senators hear them everyday. The two words they seldom hear are “Thank You.”

This year alone, Congress passed the RACE Act, which will improve drug development for childhood cancers. $12.6 million was appropriated for a fifth year for the Gabriella Miller Kids First Act. The Department of Defense, CDMRP, again provided millions of dollars in funding for Pediatric Brain Cancers and the Peer-Reviewed AYA and Pediatric Cancer Research Program. The House and the Senate passed and fully funded the Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research (STAR) Act and the President signed it into law. It will expand opportunities for childhood cancer research, improve efforts to identify and track childhood cancer incidences, enhance the quality of life for childhood cancer survivors, and ensure publicly accessible expanded access policies that provide hope for patients who have run out of options.

It’s time for our Legislators to hear the words they want to hear most, “Thank You.” By recognizing them for the good they have done for our children, we will leave an everlasting impression of gratitude. In the future when we go back to ask for other helpful legislative initiatives or support, they will be more willing to help.

There are many ways to say “Thank You.” You can call, write, tweet, facebook.and even visit their offices. Thank them and make it personal. Tell them how their efforts will help you, your child, or your community. Use #GoldStrong, #ChildhoodCancer, or #CureFestUSA 

How to contact your Legislators

Everyone has one Representative and two Senators

All you need is a computer linked to the internet and your zip code

Representative: https//house.gov

Senators: https//Senate.gov

Author: JoeBaber