I don't have to tell you that if scientists are going to keep making advances in research that will deliver prevention, treatments and cures for people affected by the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases then we'll need to maintain the momentum of discoveries. Funding the NIH at $31 billion - a 6.7% increase over FY07 -- will ensure that progress continues to be made on not just blindness issues but on a wide range of important medical issues. This increase in funding will support the NEI's goal to support research to isolate retinal disease genes, determine the function and structure of proteins in health and disease and evaluate potential new therapies.

Please use the link below to urge your Representative to support a 6.7% increase for the NIH in the FY 2008 budget. Specifically, we need your Representative to submit a letter to the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriation Subcommittee requesting this increase for the NIH. It's critical that you act now, as the letters are due by the end of this week!