ADVOCATE
Raising awareness among state and federal legislators about brain
aneurysms and advocating for additional brain aneurysm research funding
and policies that help patients and families is an important part of our
mission. We have made significant strides, and will continue to work for
patients and families on Capitol Hill until we achieve all of our goals.
“If we help our
leaders in Washington
understand our
Every year, the federal government allocates nearly $300 million to brain
cancer research, yet only $2 to $5 million to research of brain aneurysms,
although the prevalence of and deaths from both diseases are similar. Even if
the entire $5 million is spent, this amounts to only 83 cents per year for each
of the 6 million people in the United States with a brain aneurysm. mission, then our
Among our recent accomplishments is the introduction of Ellie’s Law (H.R.
1648) in the U.S. House of Representatives in early 2017, which would
allocate $25 million ($5 million a year for five years) to the National Institute
of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to support brain aneurysm research.
We are now working to have Ellie’s Law, named after Ellie Helton, who
tragically died at age 14 of a brain aneurysm, introduced in the U.S. Senate. million citizens of
Joined by many survivors and family members, we continue our efforts to
have September designated as National Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month.
We also are advocating for policies that would reduce the burden on patients
and families by requiring insurance companies to pay for screening exams
and provide more coverage for rehabilitation care.
message will be
heard by all 325
our great nation. We
must be vigilant and
keep coming back to
Capitol Hill until our
message is heard.”
Scott Campbell, member of the
Brain Aneurysm Foundation Board
and caregiver
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