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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — MEDIA ADVISORY
3 March 2008
California State Legislatures to Partner with National Fibromyalgia Association at
First “Fibromyalgia Legislation Day” March 10 in Sacramento
Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod, Assembly Members Mervyn Dymally, Sharon Runner
and Women’s Legislative Caucus Lead Efforts to Advocate for Public Awareness on Impact of Healthcare Crisis on Fibromyalgia Community
ANAHEIM, Calif---Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod, Assembly Members Sharon Runner and Mervyn Dymally will be taking the “Fibromyalgia Pledge to Care” and unveiling the details of the first ever “Fibromyalgia Legislative Task Force” during the National Fibromyalgia Association’s press conference to be held on March 10, 2008 at the Governor’s Press Room in Sacramento.
With the continued lack of awareness and validation of fibromyalgia as a real disease contributing to a staggering $1 billion price tag to California in medical expenses and lost wages, Senator Negrete McLeod, chair of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus, and Assembly Member Runner have co-sponsored a resolution advocating for improved treatments, expanded research at the National Institutes of Health, comprehensive health insurance coverage and increased awareness of fibromyalgia, particularly involving the US Congress and specifically the Congressional Caucus on Women’s Issues.
“I am proud to partner with the National Fibromyalgia Association in carrying this important resolution that calls attention to this disabling painful condition of fibromyalgia and urge our national leaders to accelerate the federal investment in fibromyalgia research at the National Institutes of Health,” said Negrete McLeod.
At the State Assembly level, Assembly Member Mervyn Dymally is introducing an Assembly Concurrent Resolution to establish the first Legislative Task Force on Fibromyalgia aimed to promote public awareness and the importance of early diagnosis and proper treatment of the chronic pain disorder. Dymally’s resolution calls on members of the State Assembly, Senate and the National Fibromyalgia Association to appoint the 15-member task force.
“This has been a learning experience for me,” said Dymally. “I thank the NFA for calling attention to the severity of this issue, and I’m proud to be supporting this resolution in our Legislature.”
Negrete McLeod and Runner will also be taking the NFA’s “Fibromyalgia Pledge to Care” during the press conference.
“It is a privilege to take the National Fibromyalgia Pledge to Care in an effort to increase awareness of fibromyalgia,” Runner said. “As a legislator, the well-being of Californians is a top priority for me and I am committed to ensuring that those affected with fibromyalgia have all the tools necessary to fight this disease and better their quality of life.”
PRESS CONFERENCE in SACRAMENTO
** Individual interviews available upon request **
EVENT:
Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod, Assembly Member Sharon Runner, Legislative Women’s Caucus to take the National Fibromyalgia Association’s “Pledge to Care” with over 100 Fibromyalgia Patients, Support Group Leaders and Advocates from California
Assembly Member Mervyn Dymally will announce details of first ever “Fibromyalgia Legislative Task Force”
WHEN:
Monday, March 10, 2008, 9:00 am
Press Conference 9:00 to 10:00 am
WHERE:
Governor’s Press Room
Sacramento, California
SPEAKERS:
Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod, Chair, CA Legislative Womens’ Caucus
Assembly Member Sharon Runner
Assembly Member Mervyn Dymally
Lynne Matallana, President, National Fibromyalgia Association
VISUALS:
Photo opportunities with Senator Negrete McLeod, Assembly Members Runner and Dymally
Senator Negrete McLeod, Assembly Member Runner and over 100 fibromyalgia patients and advocates, wearing uniform T-shirts from the National Fibromyalgia Association, will be taking the “Pledge to Care” administered by Lynne Matallana.
CONTACT:
April Quinn
Sr. Director Government & Community Relations
714-921-0150; aquinn@fmaware.org | 
