Activist's Corner: Write the Presidential Candidates About MCS
MCSAmerica
MCS
Now is the time to begin educating the presidential candidates about multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and its devastating effects on the individual, the community and our nation!
MCS America has sent a letter to each of the presidential hopefuls and you can send one too.
Either write your own letter, or use our pre-written letter to inform all the presidential hopefuls about the facts, figures, and findings of MCS. Let them know we need funding, a committee to address MCS, and more research. You may download a word file with the 13 pre-addressed, ready-to-print letters at:
http://www.mcs-america.org/hopefuls.doc
Please input your own name and address on the bottom of each letter. A sample appears on the following page.
Presidential Hopefuls
Hillary Rodham Clinton
4420 North Fairfax Drive
Arlington, VA 22203
John Cox
PO Box 5353
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089-5353
John Edwards
410 Market Street, Suite 400
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Rudy Giuliani
295 Greenwich St, #371
New York, NY 10007
Mike Gravel
PO Box 948
Arlington, VA 22216-0948
Mike Huckabee
PO Box 2008
Little Rock, AR 72203
Duncan Hunter
9340 Fuerte Drive, Suite 302
La Mesa, CA 91941
Alan L. Keyes
PO Box 50597
Provo, UT 84605-0597
Dennis J. Kucinich
PO Box 110475
Cleveland, OH 44111
John McCain
PO Box 16118
Arlington, VA 22215
Barack Obama
PO Box 8102
Chicago, IL 60680
Ron E. Paul
3461 Washington Blvd., Suite 200
Arlington, VA 22201
W. Mitt Romney
PO Box 55899
Boston, MA 02205-5899
Sample Letter
Addressee
Address
City, State, Zip
Dear XXX;
As you campaign to be our next president, please consider an important health issue – multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). Sensitivity to chemicals has been researched by scientists for 60 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently recognized chemical sensitivity as one symptom of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), yet diagnostic tests and effective medical treatments for MCS have yet to be discovered. For afflicted Americans, proper diagnosis of MCS through confirmatory diagnostic testing would mean better care, treatment, and outcome, all of which would improve many lives.
Here are a few documented and published facts about MCS:
· Several studies published between 1993 and 2005 suggest that at least 45 million men, women, and children in the US report various chemical sensitivities. Seventy percent of these people have not been diagnosed properly by a health care provider.
· Brain scans show reduced blood flow to the brain when under chemical exposure.
· Numerous physiological abnormalities have been identified in MCS subjects, including brain inflammation, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, cardiac and airway disease, auto-immune disorders, and many others.
· Mast cell activation and disorders of porphyrin metabolism have been linked to MCS.
· Genetic differences relating to detoxification processes are present more often in those with MCS than those without.
· Studies have shown that avoidance of inciting chemicals and proper environmental control is the most efficacious treatment known to date. Ninety-five percent of patients report improvement upon practicing avoidance and 94% report improvement upon moving to a chemical free living space.
· *Citations may be found at: http://mcs-america.org/MCSPositionStatement.htm.
MCS is already formally recognized by the governments of Germany, Canada, and Denmark. Sweden recognizes electrical sensitivity. Last year, more than one half of state governors proclaimed the month of May as MCS and/or Toxic Injury Awareness Month. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Health Observance Calendar lists May as MCS Awareness Month.
Funding is needed for programs that educate both health care professionals and the general public about MCS. A committee is also needed to help coordinate health agency research, promote the exchange of information, hold federal agencies accountable, and give advocates a voice in policy decisions. Research offers the greatest prospect of returning people with MCS to healthy, productive lives.
I will continue to monitor your campaign and actions. As I consider how to cast my ballot, I hope I can count on your help in this important matter.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State Zip
Copyrighted © 2008 MCS America
Permission granted to use the letter as indicated.
