IBD Day on the Hill 2008

May 14-15, 2008
Washington, D.C.

Over 75 patient advocates from targeted districts gathered in Washington, D.C. for our two-day National Advocacy Conference. This Conference provides us with an opportunity to visit legislators who sit on committees relevant to our legislation and ask them to support the IBD Research Enhancement Act.

Our group was made up almost entirely of youth and their families.  These patient advocates, many young, first-time Hill visitors, had an action-packed forty-eight hours!

On Wednesday, advocates and legislators attended a reception on the Hill.  Gary Sinderbrand, Chairman-Elect of our Board of Trustees, opened the reception.  Ken Edmonds, Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.'s Chief of Staff and also a Trustee, shared the importance of advocating for this piece of IBD legislation. 

During dinner, President Richard Geswell welcomed everyone to Washington and offered some motivational words.  Nick Uzl and Jill Plevinsky, members of the National Youth Leadership Council, spoke to the importance of the youth voice, inspiring the young patients in the audience.  Dr. Francisco Sylvester, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Digestive Disease and Nutrition at Connecticut Children's Medical Center, highlighted the importance of pediatric research, one of the fundamental pieces of the IBD Research Enhancement Act. 

Early Thursday morning, advocates met for a breakfast training session before leaving for meetings with their legislators to ask for the support of the Act. Many also met with legislators who have championed our cause in the past, thanking them and asking that they continue their support.

To view the most up-to-date list of co-sponsors, please visit www.thomas.gov. Be sure to keep the momentum going and e-mail your legislator today.

Thanks again to all patient advocates who attended Day on the Hill!

Browse Our Online Gallery

To browse our online gallery of pictures from Day on the Hill, or to order images, follow these simple instructions:

1.  Go to www.LKPhotos.com
2.  Click "To view photos from your recent shoot click here"
3.  You will be taken to the virtual storefront of LK Photos.  Go to the bottom of the page to the list of galleries and select "CCFA"
4.  Enter the password "crohns"
5.  Select "2008 IBD Day" and you will be taken into the gallery.

Date Posted: May 2008