Support Brain Aneurysm Research Funding

Cosponsor H.R. 1648

The Ellie Helton, Lisa Colagrossi, Teresa Anne Lawrence, and Jennifer Sedney Focused Research Act (Ellie’s Law)

[Month] [Date], 2017

The Honorable [First and Last Name of Representative]

U.S. House of Representatives

[Room Number] [Rayburn, Longworth, or Cannon] House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative [Last Name of Representative]:

As yourconstituent, I am writing today to stronglyencourage you to cosponsor H.R. 1648, the Ellie Helton, Lisa Colagrossi, Teresa Anne Lawrence, and Jennifer Sedney Focused Research Act, also known as “Ellie’s Law.” This bipartisan bill provides funding for further comprehensive research at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke on how to most effectively manage and treat unruptured intracranial aneurysms.

[2 to 4 sentences explaining your personal connection to brain aneurysms (e.g., survivor, family member, caregiver)].

While brain aneurysms are surprisingly common, federal funding for research in this area is almost non-existent. An estimated 6 million people in the United States have an unruptured brain aneurysm, and each year an estimated 30,000 people in the United States will suffer a rupture. Ruptured brain aneurysms are fatal in 40% of the cases, with 66% of survivors suffering permanent neurological damage. The combined overall lost wages of survivors of ruptured brain aneurysms and their caretakers are approximately $138,000,000 per year. Despite these startling statistics, the federal government spends only about $5 million per year on brain aneurysm research, or 83 cents per American afflicted with the disease each year.

Ellie’s Law aims to reduce this gap, by authorizing an additional $5 million each fiscal year, for five years, to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. [1-2 sentences on how this bill, if passed, would benefit you].

I urge you to support Ellie’s Law. To cosponsor the bill, please contact Bridgette DeHart () in Rep. Yvette D. Clarke’s office or Julie Nolan () in Rep. Pat Meehan’s office.Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at [your phone number] or [your e-mail address].

Thank you for your consideration of my request.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[City, StateZip]

79085346v2