Increase the Budget for the NIH and CDC

The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation requests your strong support for increased federal funding for medical research in general and paralysis programs and research in particular at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Last year the NIH received its first budget cut since 1970, and this year's proposed budget decreases will further slow the development of life-saving cures and treatments, while undermining President Bush's own efforts to make the nation more competitive in the world. In addition, the proposed budget reduces funding at the CDC for disability programs, chronic disease prevention, quality of life programs, and health promotion. We look to Congress to provide a 6 - 7% increase to the NIH budget and added funding for the CDC and its paralysis programs.

The PRC was created to establish a single focused national resource for individuals living with paralysis. In Dana Reeve's own words, "We created the Paralysis Resource Center to help people navigate the chaos of paralysis with reliable information, referral services, and a message of hope." The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation NeuroRecovery Network (NRN) is a cooperative network of cutting-edge rehabilitation centers designed to provide and develop therapies to promote functional recovery and improve the health and quality of life of people living with paralysis. The NRN translates the latest scientific advances into effective, activity-based rehabilitation treatments to prevent secondary conditions, improve function and enhance overall quality of life while giving the patient an active role in their recovery.

The PRC's goal is to help all members of the paralysis community discover the resources they need to stay as healthy, active and independent as possible. However, the current budget fails to meet the basic public health needs for Americans living with paralysis. The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation is calling on lawmakers to increase the budget for the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, and to "take a stand for your constituents who can't" by supporting increased funding for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center, including its Quality of Life grants, the NeuroRecovery Network, and public health programs.

We must actively work to ensure the federal budget includes increased funding for these programs. The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation is steadfast in its goal of changing the world of paralysis. We remain committed to improving the lives of millions living with paralysis and to seeing Christopher and Dana's vision become reality.