Many of you may know that I am a cancer survivor. There are several genes that have been identified that put people at higher risk for breast, ovarian, prostate and colon cancer. These genetic discoveries are huge in the fight against cancer. However, the question is how do we protect people who are diagnosed with these genes so they don't get shut out of insurance, turned down for jobs etc? If you ever saw Gattica then you see what could happen. Right now these genetic discoveries are saving lives but many people will not get tests done because of the fear of discrimination. There is a bill right now that is proposed to protect against genetic discrimination. If you can take a second and make a quick phone call that would be great. Everyone is touched by cancer in one way or another... so please help! There is even a script to make it really easy!



EMERGENCY ACTION ALERT
We are on the brink!!
Now is the time to act for GINA!!!
Tell House Appropriations and Leadership that you want GINA included in the omnibus!

Congress wants to move GINA by attaching it to the omnibus appropriations legislation this year. This would get GINA passed in just a few days. After so many years of struggling to pass the legislation, this is the opportunity!

Please CALL the members of the House Appropriations Committee and House Leadership ASAP and let them know that the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act must be included in the omnibus. Tell you friends and family to make the calls. Finally, please email policy@geneticalliance.org or call 202.966.5557 x207 to let the Coalition for Genetic Fairness know that you have taken action!

Sample Script

My name is ____ and I am calling to ask (NAME OF ELECTED OFFICIAL) to support the inclusion of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act in the omnibus appropriations legislation. This bill passed the House 420-3 on April 25, 2007 and the Senate hot lined version provides the strong protections our community values.

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act protects all Americans from the misuse of genetic information in employment and health insurance decisions. With these protections in place, Americans will be able to use genetics in medicine without fear of misuse of their genetic information.

I strongly urge (NAME OF ELECTED OFFICIAL) to support the Act’s inclusion in the omnibus. Thank you.


House Leadership
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi 202.225.4965
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer 202.225.3130
Majority Whip James Clyburn 202.226.3210
Republican Leader John Boehner 202.225.4000
Minority Whip
Roy Blunt 202.225.0197

House Appropriations Committee

Robert Aderholt 202.225.4876
Rodney Alexander 202.225.8490
Marion Berry 202.225.4076
Sanford Bishop 202.225.3631
Allen Boyd 202.225.5235
Ken Calvert 202.225.1986
John Carter 202.225.3864
Ben Chandler 202.225.4706
Robert Cramer 202.225.4801
Ander Crenshaw 202.225.2501
John Culberson 202.225.2571
Rosa DeLauro 202.225.3661
Norman Dicks 202.225.5916
Chet Edwards 202.225.6105
Jo Ann Emerson 202.225.4404
Sam Farr 202.225.2861
Chaka Fattah 202.225.4001
Rodney Frelinghuysen 202.225.5034
Virgil Goode 202.225.4711
Kay Granger 202.225.5071
Maurice Hinchey 202.225.6335
David Hobson 202.225.4324
Mike Honda 202.225.2631
Steve Israel 202.225.3335
Jesse Jackson 202.225.0773
Marcy Kaptur 202.225.4146
Patrick Kennedy 202.225.4911
Carolyn Kilpatrick 202.225.2261
Jack Kingston 202.225.5831
Mark Kirk 202.225.4835
Joe Knollenberg 202.225.5802
Ray LaHood 202.225.6201
Tom Latham 202.225.5476
Barbara Lee 202.225.2661
Jerry Lewis 202.225.4876
Nita Lowey 202.225.6506
Betty McCollum 202.225.6631
Alan Mollohan 202.225.4172
James Moran 202.225.4376
John Murtha 202.225.2065
David Obey 202.225.3365
John Olver 202.225.5335
Ed Pastor 202.225.4065
John Peterson 202.225.5121
David Price 202.225.1784
Ralph Regula 202.225.3876
Dennis Rehberg 202.225.3211
Ciro Rodriguez 202.225.4511
Harold Rogers 202.225.4601
Steven Rothman 202.225.5061
Lucille Roybal-Allard 202.225.1766
C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger 202.225.3061
Tim Ryan 202.225.5261
Adam Schiff 202.225.4176
Jose Serrano 202.225.4361
Mike Simpson 202.225.5531
Todd Tiahrt 202.225.6216
Tom Udall 202.225.6190
Peter Visclosky 202.225.2461
James Walsh 202.225.3701
Zach Wamp 202.225.3271



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Sharon F. Terry, MA | President and CEO
Genetic Alliance |
4301 Connecticut Avenue, NW |
Suite 404 |
Washington , DC
20008 | Phone: 202.966.5557 x201 | Fax: 202.966.8553
sterry@geneticalliance.org | www.geneticalliance.org
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Save the Date!

Transformational Leadership Signature Events

Genetics Day on the Hill - July 10, 2008
Annual Conference - July 11-13, 2008
www.geneticalliance.org/conference2008