2010 ICA Capitol Hill Walk
A group of passionate IC advocates, including IC patients
and supporters, ICA staff, and ICA board members, came together in Washington,
DC on March 24 and 25 for the 2010 ICA Capitol Hill Walk.
ICA Capitol Hill Walk activities began on Wednesday evening,
March 24, when a group of participants gathered to hear an inspirational speech
from government affairs expert and IC patient, Judi Buckalew. Buckalew encouraged the group to
be strong advocates for IC the next day on the Hill.
On the morning of the Walk, Frances Ashe-Goins, Acting Director of the HHS Office for Women’s
Health, spoke to the group about the importance of advocacy and praised the
group for continued persistence in raising awareness for IC.
Participants were also briefed in the Rayburn House Office Building by Dale Dirks and Ginger Parks, of the Health and
The whole group met back up at lunchtime to discuss how the
meetings had gone so far and refresh and rejuvenate before afternoon meetings
started up. At the end of the day the group reconvened to debrief from the event, talk about their experiences, share funny stories from the day, and
strategize on how to follow-up with the Congressional offices that had been
visited.
All together
participants made over 30 Congressional visits over the course of one day
representing 13 states and the District of Columbia! In addition ICA
Board member Barbara Zarnikow on two other recent occasions met with Illinois
Senators Jesse Jackson and Roland Burris.
We hope you’ll join us next year as we try to visit representatives
from all 50 states!
Posted April 01, 2010