SUPPORT H.RES.495 PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association worked with Congressman David Scott (GA-13) and 20 other leaders to introduce ResolutionH.Res.495 in the U.S. House of Representatives. H.Res.495 recognizes the seriousness of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the need for further research, improved treatment and care options, and for a cure for PCOS. It also designates September as PCOS Awareness Month. This historic and bipartisan effort represents the first time there has been a central focus on PCOS in the U.S. Congress. ABOUT POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME PCOS is one of the most pervasive and underserved public health issues that threatens the mental and physical health, and quality of life of girls, women and their families. The disorder can lead to infertility, lifelong complications and the most common causes of death in women including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. This resolution is critically important because more than 50% of women with PCOS are going undiagnosed. Awareness, early diagnosis and intervention and research can help to prevent or lessen the complications and progression of serious chronic illnesses connected to PCOS. It is imperative that we make PCOS a public health priority and encourage our respective Representatives to cosponsor Resolution H.Res.495. NEXT STEP – WE NEED YOUR HELP! To move H.Res.495 forward and out of committee, your Representative needs to hear from you and your family to understand why PCOS is a critically important issue that they should address. As a constituent, you have a powerful story to tell about your own experience with PCOS or that of someone close to you. Identify your Representative atwww.house.gov by your address and zip code.If your Representative is not already cosponsoring the Resolution (View Cosponsors at the bottom of this page),call your Representative’s office and ask to speak to the Health Legislative Assistant. Tell that staffer that you would like your Representative to cosponsor H.Res.495Ask the staff member you speak with for his/her email address. Send him/her a short email (template below) following your call that is addressed to the Representative. Personalize this email to tell your story and the story of your loved ones.After you talk to the office, look up their Congressional website, find their Twitter address, and tweet the following message to their address: “@[Member of Congress Twitter Address] join @PCOSChallenge and support women and families affected by #PCOS in our District. Support H.Res.495 #PrioritizePCOS” WHAT’S THE MESSAGE DURING MY CALL I am calling to ask for the Representative to cosponsor H.Res.495. This is a bipartisan resolution that can help tens of thousands of women and families affected by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in our District In the United States, 5 to 10 million women and girls are affected by polycystic ovary syndrome. PCOS has a profound impact on families and women and girls with the disorder throughout their entire lives. Additionally, many women with PCOS are going undiagnosed and are at risk for serious life-threatening related conditions including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The purpose of the resolution is to raise awareness about PCOS, encourage health care professionals to become more knowledgeable about the disorder, and to help women and girls get the care they need. This resolution is important to me because[SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE OR THE EXPERIENCE OF SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU].I will send you a follow-up email. Please consider cosponsoring this important resolution. Thank you. WHAT SHOULD I SAY IN MY EMAIL You can restate the points above and be sure to personalize your message.Next, EMAIL your message (don’t mail it) to the person you spoke with in the office. Email addresses in the House of Representatives are firstname.lastname@mail.house.gov YOU CAN ALSO FIND AND FAX YOUR REPRESENTATIVE USING YOUR MOBILE PHONE IN UNDER 5 MINUTES TYPE RESIST TO 50409 you must type resost twice to list your house representatives!