Date

Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee
United States Postal Service
1735 N. Lynn Street Suite 5013
Arlington, VA 22209-6432

Dear Members of the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee:

I am writing on behalf of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation to ask you to consider issuing a postage stamp to raise awareness of this terrible disease, Pulmonary Fibrosis. 

Pulmonary Fibrosis is not as well known to most people as many other diseases, but those who have been impacted by it call it a “merciless killer.” The disease affects 200,000 Americans of which 40,000 die each year. This is roughly the same number that die from breast cancer. It is an incurable lung disease in which the air sacs of the lungs are gradually replaced by scar tissue.  As the disease progresses, the increase in scar tissue interferes with the ability of the lungs to transfer oxygen to the blood stream.  Breathing becomes increasingly difficult, and most patients lose their fight with this disease in two to five years.  (Maybe a sentence or two about how your loved one passed or what your loved one with Pulmonary Fibrosis goes through on a typical day.)

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation was established in 2000 to help confront the many problems faced by those diagnosed with the disease.  Its mission is:           

         1)  To increase awareness of pulmonary fibrosis in both the medical community and the general public.  This is important since early diagnosis and treatment may halt the disease's progression and increase the longevity of the patient.          To add to the problem, the condition is often misdiagnosed as asthma,  emphysema or one of the many forms of pneumonia.

        2)  To increase funding for research that will find a cure for pulmonary fibrosis. To date, the medical community has not been able to determine what causes it or how to cure this disease.

         3)   To provide support, hope and inspiration to the community of Pulmonary Fibrosis patients.       

A U.S. postage stamp would be a major catalyst for raising awareness and stimulating dialogue at a national level.  I hope that you will find one for Pulmonary Fibrosis compelling and important.  Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,