Congress is deciding how much funding to give to public health programs in 2026—and you can help.
Right now, we’re asking Members of Congress to sign a letter supporting more funding for the Chronic Disease Education & Awareness (CDEA) Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Why CDEA Matters to the Lymphatic Community
LE&RN earned a CDEA grant, which led to major milestones:
- Every day 500 people visit the LE&RN & Live Campaign, starring Kathy Bates and Steve Guttenberg, to access vital resources.
- The first-ever National Indicator Report on Cancer-Related Lymphedema was produced to address the shortage of public health data regarding lymphedema's impact on patients, families, and society.
- CDEA funding has serious implications for the continued success of these efforts—and for the millions affected by lymphedema.
Take Action Before May 15
Step 1: Find your Representative
Step 2: Copy and Send the Message Below
Dear [Staff Member Name],
I am reaching out on behalf of the Chronic Disease Community to request that your office support the attached sign-on letter being led by Congressman Lieu (D-CA) regarding increasing funding for the Chronic Disease Education & Awareness (CDEA) Program in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. I am a constituent who lives in [your hometown].
This program is critical for supporting public health education & awareness activities for chronic diseases throughout the country and it would be great if [Member of Congress Name] would sign-on to the letter. The quill link for the letter is here.
Thanks for your office’s consideration and please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
FAQ: What’s the Quill Link?
The Quill link is only for Congressional staff—it allows them to sign their Member onto the letter. You won’t be able to open it yourself, but the staff will know exactly what to do when you include it in your email.
Please take action today—the deadline for members to sign-on to the letter is May 15. Your outreach can make a critical difference in bolstering support for this important program.