This is my Battle Cry!

I know first hand the challenge chronic illness patients face when searching for the right healthcare treatment and this is why I have volunteered with Chronic Illness Advocacy & Awareness Group as a State Leader.

I know lawmakers and influencers is how we change the systemic problems chronic illness patients face. Our voice can feel so small when we advocate for ourselves, we face so many roadblocks at every turn but we can pull our voices together to speak out loud enough to make a change.

If you are reading this post you can volunteer to advocate for change!

I know what I can contribute is limited but know that over time my voice will join others and one day we will enact change within the healthcare system for chronic illness patients. Volunteering is an important step in speaking up for change, we can’t leave it to the healthcare system or government to change. We have to let them know what we need.

To get more information on how you can volunteer to advocate for patients with chronic illnesses check out at www.ciaag.net and on Twitter at  ‎@ciaagofficial.

Please think about advocating for chronic illness patients. You can do as little or as much as you can, advocating for our rights and the rights of all chronic illness patients are necessary in order to get the healthcare we need.

Check out their mission below, if you can get on board, let’s do this!

CIAAG’s Mission

The Chronic Illness Advocacy & Awareness Group, Inc. (CIAAG) is a national non-profit organization that promotes both a common-sense, compassionate and research-based ap​proach to palliative care along with the responsible prescribing of opioid medication to those experiencing chronic pain and illnesses, including:  serious injuries, intractable pain, and those who suffer from painful chronic diseases.

CIAAG’s mission is to work collaboratively with legislators in crafting the policy changes and legislation enacted to combat opioid abuse (including heroin and illicit fentanyl) in a way that does not restrict patients’ access to their medication.  Restricting access is not just a problem for the individual; it negatively impacts the nation’s public and economic health, resulting in previously functioning members of society being forced into unemployment and disability in response to the relentless, inhumane and debilitating pain they experience.

Intractable pain and forced isolation often leads to depression and other mental health crises as well.  Unfortunately, some patients have turned to the street to find unsafe alternatives (including dangerous counterfeit pills) in a desperate effort to relieve their untreated pain, while others have succumbed to suicide as a final escape. 

CIAAG offers lawmakers and other decision-makers fact-based research on prescription opioid use from qualified physicians as well as policy white papers, testimonials and other resources to aid in crafting sensible policies around opiate use.              

In Health,

Melinda