If you live in NY state, there are two important pices of legistration that needs your support to pass. There is a very easy way to get involved. Just follow the directions below to send a letter to your representative. We even include a sample letter. It can not be any easier to get involved and be an e-Advocate! Do something good today!
AA00284 now in the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, creates an education and outreach program for the autoimmune disease known as lupus; provides for an advisory council consisting of representatives of people with lupus and their families and health care providers who specialize in treating lupus: appropriates funds for the lupus education and awareness program. Sponsor: Aurelia Greene.
S02847 now in the Senate Finance Committee creates an education and outreach program for the autoimmune disease known as lupus: and authorizes an appropriation. Sponsor: Diane Savino.
Tell your elected official to support these bills – HERE`S HOW:
Please take a moment out of your schedule to help make a difference for New Yorkers living with lupus. Follow these instructions on how to call and write to your officials.

Please take a moment out of your schedule to help make a difference for New Yorkers living with lupus. Follow these instructions on how to call and write to your officials.
1. Click here to find out who your local officals are.
The right side of the webpage asks for you to enter your zip code to find the Assembly Member representing your area.
Click here to find out who your state Senators are.
2. Once you get the name(s), check these links below to see if he or she is on either of the two committees currently reviewing the lupus legislation.
Assembly Ways and Means Committee
Senate Finance Committee
3. If you find one of your legislators on either of these committees, please make a call. Call both the local district office and the Albany office; their contact information is on their web page. Please urge them to support the lupus bills! Everyone who is of voting age in your household should call or write seperately as you are all constituents!
The following scripts are guidelines to give you an idea what to say or write. You can of course use your own words, but please keep the phone call scripts short and to the point. Letters can have more information, but keep them under one page.
____________________Sample Script for Phone calls____________________
My name is (XX), I live in (XX), NY and am calling to ask Senator/Assembly Member (XX) to please support S2847 which is now in the Finace Committee (or to please support A00284 which is now in the Ways and Means Committee). I have lived with lupus for (XX) years or I have lived with (XX) who has had lupus for (XX) years. Lupus has affected me and my family in so many ways and has interfered with almost every aspect of our lives.
Lupus suffers from lack of professional and public awareness more than any other major disease. This legislation would support a statewide education and outreach program which is desperatly needed and would benefit all New Yorkers affected by this costly and debilitating disease as well as help those New Yorkers who are suffering but due to lack of awareness do not yet know they have lupus. It would be wonderful if Senator/Assembly member (XX) would support these bills. Thank you very much. Be sure to give your full name and address to prove you are a constituent.
____________________Sample Script for letters____________________
I am a voter in the Senators/Assembly members district and live at ________________ and I have a loved one that suffers from lupus ( or I suffer from lupus). I am writing to ask that Senator/Assembly member________ please support S2847 (or A00284) which is now under consideration in the Ways and Means Committee (or Senate Finance Committee).
I have lived with lupus for (XX) years. It has affected me and my family in many ways________________________________.
This legislation supports a statewide education and outreach program that would benefit all New Yorkers, whether they are at risk for getting lupus, or already have lupus. This disease is really hard to live with. It is debilitating, and the costs of living with this disease are exuberant.
My family would greatly appreciate if Senator/Assembly member (XX) would support this bill.
Thank you very much.