Remembering Doug Jones
PFF Advocate and Ambassador Emeritus Doug Jones passed away on Tuesday, December 15. Doug was a strong advocate on behalf of the pulmonary fibrosis (PF) community and volunteered with the PFF for many years. He was part of the first group of PFF Ambassadors when the program was formed in 2014. Doug also traveled to Washington, DC to speak with members of Congress on behalf of pulmonary fibrosis patients. He was a founding member of the PFF Government Affairs Task Force, helping shape the PFF's focus on research funding and oxygen access. He will be missed by PFF staff and the many others in the PF community who had the opportunity to know him.
There's Still Time to Act for Critical NIH Funding
Important funding for National Institutes of Health (NIH) research continues to be at risk. Research funded by the NIH has faced many barriers and delays due to COVID-19. Emergency funding for the NIH is needed to make sure that pulmonary fibrosis research and other disease research can continue. Congress is working on a funding package that would help secure research funding, but they have not agreed on a funding package yet.
Please contact your members of Congress and ask them to pass a supplemental spending bill that includes emergency funding for the NIH. If you've emailed before, email again - members of Congress need to hear from you!
The NIH is the world's largest public funder of medical research. Researchers supported by the NIH have studied familial pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and the importance of pulmonary rehabilitation for PF patients. During the current crisis caused by COVID-19, many researchers have needed to temporarily shut down laboratories and suspend research. In order to make sure that their research continues, the NIH needs additional funds.
Reach out to your members of Congress today to ask them to support emergency funding for the NIH.
Effective Advocacy Changes Lives
With leadership and guidance from the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, pulmonary fibrosis patients and supporters from across the country are playing a major role in driving federal policy outcomes. Together, we are on the path to finding a cure, and your support and advocacy is bringing us closer and closer.
Be an active Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Advocate! Contact your congressional representatives – your Representatives and Senators – or attend one of their Town Hall forums. Ask your officials to support legislation that will enhance pulmonary fibrosis research and quality of life for those with pulmonary fibrosis.