Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.  ~Margaret Mead

 

I’ve always loved this quote. I believe Margaret Mead’s words. I’ve seen it in action – you and I do have the power to make a REAL difference!

This is one of those moments; your voice is important and impactful! I hope you’ll take a few moments to respond to this call to action!

Learn more about the Help Stamp Out Alzheimer’s effort in this piece from last March.  Alzheimer’s Semipostal Update: March 2016.

There are two actions you can take:

• Leave a comment on the USPS site urging issuance of an Alzheimer’s fundraising stamp.  Take a few minutes and to leave a comment for the Postmaster General encouraging her to approve an Alzheimer’s fundraising stamp. The Breast Cancer semipostal stamp has raised over $81 million since its inception and we can do the same for Alzheimer’s disease! Click here to visit the site. 

• Write to Postmaster General, the Honorable Megan J. Brennan. What follows is a letter you can copy and paste to use as your template!

Thank you for your support!

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<date>

The Honorable Megan J. Brennan
Postmaster General
United States Postal Service
475 L’Enfant Plaza, S.W.
Washington, D.C.  20260-0010

Dear Postmaster General Brennan:

I urge you to exercise your authority to issue an Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness and Research semipostal stamp. In July 2016 fellow advocate Kathy Siggins filed the requisite paperwork with your office. All of the major Alzheimer’s advocacy organizations – Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, The American Academy of Neurology, and UsAgainstAlzheimer’s – as well as countless citizens have joined us to support this action and 415 private citizens have left favorable comments on your blog, “Putting A Stamp on Good Causes”. In the year that has passed, more than 470,686 Americans have been diagnosed with this cruel and always fatal disease. Still we have not heard from you.

First described over 100 years ago, Alzheimer’s is now recognized as our nation’s 3rd leading cause of death and the only illness among the top ten for which there is no known prevention, treatment, or cure. The disease has a staggering reach: Roughly one out of every five of us is at risk of developing Alzheimer’s in our lifetime. Caring for those with Alzheimer’s costs the United States an estimated $236 billion each year in addition to the tremendous personal costs borne by families. By 2025, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s disease is estimated to reach 7.1 million — a 40 percent increase from the 5.3 million age 65 and older currently affected.

With a problem of such magnitude we must use every means available to move us swiftly towards a cure. The Alzheimer’s semipostal stamp is a highly symbolic method to raise awareness and allow ordinary citizens to show their support for individuals and families impacted by this devastating disease. As importantly, it would help raise much needed funds for medical research through the voluntary purchase of postage stamps with no appreciable cost to the taxpayers.

As you know, we currently have 2 semipostals, the Breast Cancer Research semipostal which, as of November 2016, has raised over $83.9 million for breast cancer research and the Save Vanishing Species semipostal, which has raised over $31 million. Even though the Semipostal Stamp Program Proposed Rules specifically state that the cause “furthers human welfare,” proceeds raised by selling the Save Vanishing Species semipostal goes to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support the Multinational Species Conservation Funds.

In 2008, the USPS issued the first ever Alzheimer’s Awareness commemorative stamp which has since been retired. At its unveiling, Postmaster General John Potter spoke these words: “With the Alzheimer’s Awareness commemorative stamp, we’ll ask Americans to use the power of mail to raise awareness about this tragic disease. We hope to draw attention to the causes of the disease, the impact it has on individuals, caregivers and society, and how research may eventually lead to treatments that prevent or halt the progression of the disease.”

It is now time for an Alzheimer’s Disease Semipostal Stamp – a stamp that would raise both awareness and funds and move us closer to prevention and a cure. On behalf of the the more than 5.3 million Americans suffering with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, their 15.5 million unpaid caregivers, and those yet to be diagnosed, I urge you to take action and provide hope where so little hope exists.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Please let me know when we might expect a decision on this matter.

Sincerely,

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