sorry forgot to say , I did not create this petition a friend in a Addison's Disease support group.. she is great and very knowledgeable about this :)

Thanks for sharing; I have passed it on through Facebook!

Just curious: what do you think that would accomplish? What would the Obama administration do?

The most important thing about this petition is that others would be made aware of Addison's as a disease. Most people have no idea what we deal with and how to help us if needed! Awareness of any disease is good for the general population of the country! If I had know about Addison's years ago I may have been saved a lot of searching and mis-diagnosis!

I understand the want and need for people to be educated about our disease but I personally don't think another awareness week is going to do much to help that. Education should start at a local level educating our friends, family, neighbors, EMS workers, etc...AND supporting those organizations already in place who are helping spread the word about our disease and help research it. Unless there is MAJOR funding behind a week dedicated to Addison's Disease and TV ads created, marches organized, etc... reality is it'll just be bundled up with the other dedicated days/weeks/months, etc...that honestly most of us don't even know exist.

One thing this petition is doing just by asking our family, friends, neighbors, and communities to sign is raising awareness. We are getting multiple responses telling us that they have looked up this disease so they can understand what we as their family, friends, and neighbors are going through. I believe that is a wonderful place to start and many others have shown they agree. We have gotten 352 votes so far and counting. Webber, thanx for sharing this! As you have stated it is very important to get awareness up... :)

I understand the desire for an AD awareness week, but I still don't get what it would accomplish. I'm certain there wouldn't be public service announcements, educational classes around the country ... most likely someone w/a gavel on capital hill would call for a majority vote, and it would be agreed upon that AD now has an official 'week.'

Please don't get me wrong - it's completely commendable what you're doing. Believe me when I tell you that I am completely aware of how unaware people are w/this disease, starting w/the medical community. Since my diagnosis I have made it a point to question every medical worker I have come into contact w/ (nurses, doctors, specialists, etc.) if they know what AD is, and over 90% of the time the answer is NO. The close runner ups include 'isn't that something dogs can get?' or 'not really, but I remember the name from medical/nursing/PA/NP/blah blah blah school.'

So, while I'm sure I sound like an Eeyore, I tend to agree w/Gash. If our own DOCTORS can't diagnose some of us for literal *years*, I really don't think a week on the books is going to get us anywhere.

You have made an awesome point, however - if this is getting some people to look into AD, then that's great. Awareness isn't so much what we need; I think it's probably safe to say that we all learn eventually that we need to be our own advocates, and as educated as humanly possible on this disease. It might make life easier if friends and family understood what our lives are like w/AD, but it's our choice to communicate that to them or not. It's those who HAVEN'T been diagnosed yet and are going through that hell that will benefit from a wider awareness ...

Which brings me back to my polling. When I ask the medical personnel that I come into contact w/if they're familiar w/AD (and I do it in a conversational way), I then educate them if they aren't. More likely than not, they'll remember, and it will pop into their heads next time they come across someone w/symptoms like ours.
:)

Lastly, do you ever stop and wonder about how many other obscure, rarely known about diseases their must be out there? It's baffling to think about. I can't say I've ever been aware of a week set aside for any of them; but when I come into contact w/someone who has one I learn about it and (usually) retain the knowledge. I wonder if there's a list somewhere of all of the 'weeks' dedicated to certain diseases? I should look.

Again, please don't take my comments as rude or discouraging. I just think word of mouth is going to be the best way to get our plight out in the public. I applaud that you're stepping up and doing something, though - if no one does anything, no one learns anything. Somewhere, down the line, you'll save a life. =)

Pink

http://www.healthfinder.gov/nho/nho.asp

Lists most if not all of the illnesses that have a day/week/month dedicated to them.

On top of that, there are days like National Secretary Day, Bosses Day, talk like a pirate day or week (I don't remember),

As PinkSmurfette has expressed, I too understand the need to educate people and I do applaud your efforts. I just tend to look at the bigger picture and try to figure out what the better approach is.

Good luck!

- Kristen

Thank you everyone for your input. I have been told my whole life "you have a voice use it" and that is what I do. If I believe in something I stand behind it. This may be silly in your opinion, but in my opinion even it raises awareness of a few Drs and saves a handful of lives than it is more than worth the effort! :)

Oh and one other thing, I was just looking through the list of awareness days and weeks and there are quite a few of them that are dedicated to raising the awareness of different diseases and disorders...so I know it isn't the answer or end all....but its a small step of many more to come :) take care guys!

Any step each one of us takes to educate others empowers us when so often diseases like ours can take our power away! I applaud all efforts to educate in whatever way possible!

I am very thankful for this support group and all that comes from being a part of it!

this was just posted in my support group re the petition!!! Please share!!! (Lisa is the wonderful lady who got this gong :))

This was just in my email from NADF,

Dear NADF Members and Friends,

NADF Member Lisa Markland has made efforts to petition the U.S. government to create an Addison's Disease Awareness Week.

Coincidentally, the NADF Board of Directors has also been planning efforts in the same vein.

NADF commends Lisa's great idea, pioneering efforts and quick action!

Lisa has set up a petition at the 'We the People: Your Voice In Our Government' website.

Please go the the website, register and sign the petition.

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/create-national-addisons-disease-awareness-week/7xb7LvkV#thank-you=p

We need 24,530 signatures to make an official Addison's Disease Awareness Week. So far we only have 471.

If you know of other people not on NADF's radar who can sign the petition and help us reach our goal, please ask them to participate.

NADF affiliated North New Jersey Addison's Support Group Founder and Leader/Facilitator Diane Moschetta also requests your participation:

"Dear Family and Friends,

All I want for Christmas is for YOU to sign the petition! : )...

Thanks!!! - Diane

Many thanks from National Adrenal Diseases Foundation (NADF) for your help in making our dream a reality!

Have a wonderful Holiday Season!