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[\/vc_column_text][vc_toggle title=”Who can\/should attend PCOS Advocacy Day?”]All people with PCOS and their supporters as well as investigators, industry professionals and healthcare providers who see people with PCOS are encouraged to join us for PCOS Advocacy Day.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Why attend PCOS Advocacy Day?”]The NIH, the largest funding agency of biomedical research in the world, invests over $47.5B annually with less than 0.1% of that budget going to PCOS research. With declining numbers of investigators entering the field due to lack of research funding opportunities and an increasing preval1ence of PCOS, we are at a critical juncture where there is an urgent need to advocate for increased funding for quality PCOS research.<\/p>\n
With the many competing federal funding priorities facing Congress, it is critical for the PCOS patient, medical, health care and research communities to communicate to policymakers not only how funding PCOS research positively contributes to the overall health and well-being of the American people, but also how it can ease the economic burden that PCOS and comorbidities place on us and our society.<\/p>\n
Members of Congress want to hear from their constituents. The participation of the PCOS patient, healthcare, scientific and research communities in our 2018 Advocacy Day is critical to demonstrating that increased investments in biomedical research and PCOS programs are needed to have a real impact on the people in their home states and throughout the country. We need your voice to amplify our message![\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Will I receive any pre-event materials?”]Yes. PCOS Challenge volunteers will prepare materials that will include a brief overview of PCOS and issue fact sheets. PCOS Challenge contact information will also be included in the packets as well as any other pertinent materials.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”What should I wear?”]Business casual or smart casual dress with something teal (the color of PCOS awareness)<\/strong> is recommended for PCOS Advocacy Day.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”How can I volunteer to help with PCOS Advocacy Day?”]To sign up to volunteer for PCOS Advocacy Day, please fill out our volunteer form<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n We have the following volunteer opportunities available.<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/vc_toggle][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_toggle title=”How do I register for PCOS Advocacy Day?”]Please register for PCOS Advocacy Day online using our secure registration page<\/strong><\/a>. If you have any questions, or problems registering online, please send us an email using our contact form<\/strong><\/a> or call (404) 855-7244.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”How much does the event cost?”]Registration Fee – $25 Registration fees also help PCOS Challenge cover the PCOS Advocacy Day venue rental, audio\/visual and other significant event expenses.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”When is the registration deadline?”]Sunday, February 20th is the deadline to register. We encourage you to register by Friday, February 11th for the best results in scheduling meetings with your legislators’ offices.[\/vc_toggle][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_toggle title=”How do I get to Capitol Hill?”]By Metro: By Car: Other options: [\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”What meetings am I supposed to set up for PCOS Advocacy Day?”]NONE. PCOS Challenge will be arranging ALL Congressional meetings for you \u2013 with your one Representative and two Senators. Your appointment times will be provided to you 1-3 days prior to PCOS Advocacy Day, along with the names of all those who are attending the same meeting.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Will I be meeting with my actual Representative and Senators?”]It is often difficult to get an appointment with your actual Representative and Senators, so PCOS Challenge will make the appointments with the staff relevant to health care policy when needed. Congressional staffers play a key role in determining the direction of legislation and providing information and input to the Member of Congress regarding their area of interest. Congressional staff does the lion\u2019s share of information gathering and takes the majority of meetings with constituents and advocacy groups who have an interest in a particular issue. As Members of Congress rely heavily on their staff for input, meeting with them is an opportunity that should not be missed. <\/span>[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”What issues are we supposed to talk about?”]The most important message to get across in your meetings is for the Member of Congress or staff to understand what PCOS is and how it impacts you and your life as well as others in your district or state and the country. It is also important to let them know the need for more PCOS research and access to proper care.<\/p>\n Prior to PCOS Advocacy Day, we will hold training sessions with details about the logistics of the meetings, the legislative issues, and what to expect. We will also recap the legislative issues during the PCOS Advocacy Day morning briefing.<\/p>\n\n
Registration<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nEach participant must register individually due to specific information needed per participant.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”My spouse and\/or children are planning on join me for Virtual PCOS Advocacy Day. Do they need to register?”]Yes, each person attending PCOS Advocacy Day needs to register individually.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”May someone who is not registered for the event participate in my meetings with members of Congress and staff?”]Each person attending the PCOS Advocacy Day meetings must register separately. PCOS Challenge must let the Congressional offices know who will be participating in our scheduled meetings.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”I have multiple addresses. Which one should I use?”]Meetings will primarily be scheduled based on the address where you are registered to vote.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”I am interested in attending PCOS Advocacy Day, but don’t know yet if I can make it. Should I still register?”]Meetings with members of Congress and staff take a significant amount of time to coordinate, so we strongly encourage you to do everything you can to make a decision quickly. We ask that you consider waiting to register until you are sure you can commit to attending. There is a heavy administrative and logistics burden for PCOS Challenge if participants cancel within a week of the event or register, but fail to attend meetings.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”What\u2019s included with PCOS Advocacy Day registration fee?”]As an Advocacy Day participant we will provide you:<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Logistics and PCOS Advocacy Day Meetings
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\nFrom Capitol South Station:
\nTake the Blue or Orange line to Capitol South Metro station. After ascending the escalators from the Metro station, turn left on First Street. Take a left at the corner onto C Street. The Rayburn Building is the third office building on your right. Visit Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s website (www.wmata.com) for rail maps, fares, how to ride and more.<\/p>\n
\nTraveling to Capitol Hill by car is discouraged as parking in the area is extremely limited.<\/p>\n
\nYou may also use a taxi or ride service such as Uber or Lyft for transportation.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”How will the meetings being conducted?”]Meetings with members of Congress and staff will be held in-person. Generally, meetings will take place in congressional offices or conference rooms. When space is limited, some meetings may take place in alternate locations such as a House or Senate Office Building hallway or cafeteria.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Do I need to participate in the training sessions on Sunday, February 23rd and Tuesday, February 25th?”]Yes, it is highly recommended that you attend at least one of the two PCOS Advocacy Day training sessions happening on Sunday, February 23rd and Tuesday, February 25th, from 2:00-5:00pm EST.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”What can I expect?”]You can expect to meet with Members of Congress and\/or Congressional staff that are relevant to health care policy from your home State\u2019s Congressional delegation (House and Senate).<\/p>\n\n