Membership is the life's blood of any organization. Advocacy is its voice. Through membership the individual and his family have a voice in his own recovery. When it comes to expressing our views on Capitol Hill we are only as effective as the voices behind it. By taking advantage of free membership in APDA and letting your legislators know how you feel about issues that affect you and your family, you can help our collective voice achieve a greater impact.
There has never been a time previously when as much interest has existed in Peyronie's disease research. While there are a number of centers in the world (mainly the USA) that are investigating the cause of Peyronie's disease, the single greatest barrier to finding a cure is the lack of research money available to conduct excellent research.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) have never funded research in Peyronie’s Disease. Yet both arms of this governmental funding source have presented budgets that specifically target Erectile Dysfunction, Diabetes, Heart Disease and Prostate Cancer as areas that need research. The large national organizations that advocate for these diseases do not view Peyronie’s Disease as an issue even though research has indicated that the incidence of Peyronie's Disease among those who suffer from these diseases is greater than in the average male population. Peyronie’s Disease is not recognized or talked about except by those who are affected by it or treat it. If we are to be effective in achieving our goals, then we must bring the issue of research funding in Peyronie’s Disease to the table.
Satisfactory sexual relations have been identified by WHO (World Health Organization) as a basic human right. If we are to claim our rights then we must join together and speak out. The responsibility for change lies firmly on the shoulders of both the physicians who treat this condition and the men who suffer from it. Never has there been a better time to do it.
Current legislation will have a big impact on our success. In a copyrighted story, Robert Pear reports in Sunday's New York Times, Jan 04, 2004, that the preliminary Bush budget plans for fiscal 2005, beginning Oct. 1, 2004, would "slow the growth of spending at the National Institutes of Health" by seeking "an increase of 3 percent or less." If not changed it will limit biomedical research.
The TRU Act, The Men’s Health Act of 2003, President Bush’s 2005 budget proposal, all of these things have a direct bearing on the quality of your life. As members of APDA, speaking with a collective voice we have the opportunity to impact the decisions of our legislators and a voice in our own future.
Join us in our efforts; fill out the Survey, Become a Member, write your legislator. We have provided you with the links and how to’s.
Some of the Membership Benefits.
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