Grassroots Action Center 

On April 16 the CFIDS Association launched its Grassroots Action Center, an on-line tool to help advocates reach policymakers, federal health officials, media professionals and candidates for public office. In the four weeks leading up to May 12, Awareness Day, advocates used the center to express support for increased federal research funds for CFIDS and to raise awareness about the disease.

To date, nearly 10,000 letters have been sent through the Grassroots Action Center. We’ve heard from advocates about the ease with which they used the Center to contact members of Congress and the media; they told us about the empowerment they experienced when a Congressional staffer called in response to their e-mail about research funding. They have sent us “clips” from newspapers where their Letters to the Editor appeared. And they have shared their enthusiasm for the “Tell A Friend” feature that allows them to effortlessly ask family and friends to help spread the word.

We will issue Action Alerts! when timely opportunities for advocacy arise, but it’s not necessary to wait for a cue from us to use the Center. It’s available 24/7 to help you become informed about candidates from your area running for federal or state offices. Use it to expedite voter registration or track your member of Congress’ voting record. Past Alerts! are housed on the site, too, so you can respond any time.

Join the Grassroots Action Center’s listserv so you’re among the first to receive notice of important opportunities to engage in advocacy.