Petition Committee Report 2004

Members:  Angel Heiskell, Karen Leverich, Shari Solarski

Committee formed:  June 2004, Nashville, TN at First Annual HS-USA Conference

Purpose of Committee:  to send “petition packets” to medical professionals, media outlets, research facilities, and university physicians in order to raise awareness and generate interest in scientific research as to the causes, treatments and cure for HS.  Petition Packet:  consists of a personalized, individualized cover letter; a hard copy of the HS Petition (which can be found at www.hs-usa.org); a Sampling of Signatures from sufferers all over the world with pleas for help; two HS brochures; and a postage-paid check-off-the-box type of postcard for responses and requests for further information.

Estimated cost of each petition packet, including postage, is $2.00.

Progress:  To date, approximately 300 packets have been mailed as follows:

Old petition site (176)

Nashville Media (12)

Clara’s doctors (10)

AAMC - NOP (24)

Douma, Richfield, etc…(5)

Mickey’s docs/lawyers (5)

Rowley, Miller, Sciallis (3)

Bertie Carnes (8)

Denise B. (3)

Various personal physicians(5)

Misc. (50)

Recent focus has been on the Chairpersons of the Dermatology, Surgery, and Research Departments at University Medical Schools and Teaching Hospitals.  In order to continue in this endeavor, assistance with online research is greatly needed.  Calls have been put forward for help, with little response.

Expenses:  At an estimate of $2.00 per packet, and estimate of 300 packets sent to date, we conclude that total costs to the committee for 2004 are approximately $600.  We have received donations of two rolls of stamps ($72.00) and $43.00 cash from local fundraising efforts.

Responses:  Two doctors have personally asked committee members for additional brochures.  One doctor has returned the postcard, requesting additional brochures, and signing the petition with written signature, no email address)

Plans for 2005:  Continue to send out individual Petition Packets on an “as needed” basis; Re-focus on University Medical Schools and Teaching Hospitals; Recruit additional volunteers for online research; Increase fundraising efforts to defray expenses.