At BlawgThink, my friend Doug Sorocco told me something that, the more I think about it, is the single best thing that has happened because of my blog.  Last year, I posted this appeal from Doug, asking for help with a raffle for the Spina Bifida Association of America (SBAA), which Doug chairs.  Doug told me that someone clicked on the link though my site and donated $10,000 anonymously to the SBAA.

First, if that generous person is still reading this blog, THANK YOU! 

Second, in hopes that lightning may strike twice, I’m going to post this request from Doug he sent me today:

Hello friends! 

As many of you know, I am the Chairman of the Spina Bifida Association of America – a national non-profit organization whose mission it is to prevent the occurrence of spina bifida (i.e through education of the benefits of consuming folic acid prior to conception) and promotion of all those affected by spina bifida. 

Although spina bifida is the number one permanently disabling birth defect in the United States, research funding through the NIH is at a woefully inadequate level.  As a result, we as an organization have championed the Center for Disease Prevention’s (CDC) efforts to create a National Spina Bifida Program – a program that has been outstanding in its very limited time of existence and is used as a model by the CDC for public/non-profit cooperation.  The program’s funding is being threatened by cuts in the FY2007 budget.

I strongly support the program at the CDC and can personally vouch for the programs fiscal responsibility, effectiveness and meaning to the individuals living with spina bifida and the 60 million women of childbearing age in the United States.

Please take a few moments and click through the link below to send a message to your Congressional representatives that the National Spina Bifida Program at the CDC is also important to you.  It doesn’t take many responses to truly make a difference.

 It would also be helpful if you could forward this email to a couple of your friends and colleagues.

 Thank you so much for your assistance – it truly means a lot to me.

 Douglas

Here’s a link to the Action Alert from the Spina Bifida Association website, and here’s the link to send an e-mail to your Member of Congress.