Dear GM604 Campaigners: First, we want support a petition for GM604 that guarantees a response from the Obama Administration if 100,000 signatures are gathered by April 24th. You can find out more about that petition by checking out our Facebook page and clicking on the “Sign Up” button located at the top of the page on the banner: https://www.facebook.com/gm604forals Now to update everyone about the March 25 rally in Washing, D.C. It was very successful and we are so impressed that 80+ individuals showed up, despite the short notice and middle of the week scheduling. We had patients, family and friends come from AZ, CA, CO, LA, ME, MA, MD, NJ, NY, SC, TX, and VA (apologies if we missed anyone here). A huge “Thank You” to everyone who worked behind the scenes, planning the rally and scheduling of meetings with Senators, Representatives, and their aides in addition to sending a flood of emails to the FDA over the past few days. Although most could not attend the rally, its success was determined by your participation at all levels. A special shout out to those who lead in event planning and were able to show up: • Linda Clark – Rally Leader / Campaign Spokesperson / wife of PALS Dr. David Huntley • Alla Gordon – Co-campaigner / Rally Teammate / CALS • Annie Gaudet – Co-campaigner / Rally Teammate / CALS • Bethany Wolfe – Petitioner of Accelerated Approval for GM604 / Campaign Spokesperson • Frank Burroughs – President, Abigail Alliance • Mike Cherepov - Co-campaigner / Rally Teammate / PALS • Jay Smith – Founder, Every 90 Minutes (90 Foundation) / PALS • Matt Bellina - US Navy Lt. Commander / PALS • Steve Finger - Assistant Professor at University of South Carolina / PALS Please send an email to thank those with whom campaigners met: • Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) o http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Contact • Wade Ackerman, Senior FDA Counsel to Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) o wade_ackerman@help.senate.gov • Remy Brim, Health Policy Adviser to Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) o remy_brim@warren.senate.gov • Marie Connelly Meszaros, Legislative Assistant to Rep. Mark Sanford (R-SC – 1st Congressional District) o marie.meszaros@mail.house.gov • Natalie Burkhalter, Legislative Assistant to Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) o natalie_burkhalter@paul.senate.gov • Mark Ratner, Legislative Assistant to Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI – 6th Congressional District) o mark.ratner@mail.house.gov • Catherine Phillips, Health Legislative Assistant to Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) o catherine_phillips@scott.senate.gov • Brad Grantz, Health Legislative Assistant to Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) o brad_grantz@toomey.senate.gov Rally in the news: • Jacqueline Fell, WFXT FOX Boston, MA, http://www.myfoxboston.com/clip/11275949/boston-man-dying-of-als-battling-fda-to-take-potentially-life-saving-drug# • Sandra Tatro, NBC 7 San Diego, CA, http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/San-Diego-Woman-Among-Those-Petitioning-Congress-for-Greater-Access-to-ALS-Drug-297537751.html • NBC, Washington, D.C., http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Thousands-Sign-Petition-for-ALS-Drug-297665231.html We expect the Washington Post article to be released at any time. In the event the FDA does not accept GM604's application for accelerated approval, we will hold another rally in Washington, most likely on a Monday in May. We hope to give everyone at least 3 weeks notice so more of you can attend. Remember, we’re in this together! Anthony Carbajal, Bethany Wolfe, the Torrino Family, Nick Grillo (gm6nick@gmail.com), and Jehad Majed (jmajed@mac.com)