For Illinois Residents: Important Legislation!

Hi all,
I'll keep this uncharacteristically brief. Before I launch in, please know that a similar appeal is forthcoming (next few days) on a different topic, but for now, this is pressing: 
One of my best friends, Anne (high school classmate, my age), is a cancer survivor, specifically skin cancer/melanoma. 
On March 1st (just a few days from now!!!!), a bill proposing to ban minors from the use of tanning beds will go before the Illinois Senate's Public Health Committee. Anne's alerted me to the fact that there's a good chance this bill will pass, and if it does, it would be huge as far as preventive measures go. Indoor tanning, while voluntary and legal, would at least no longer be an option for those under 18. And the fallout would be uniquely minor (no pun intended): some teens who are pissed they won't look as hot for Homecoming or Prom, but whose health & livelihoods may be inadvertently improved (and who knows, saved?) because they can't subject themselves to the harmful stuff.
Please take the time to send a form email (provided below) to the respective legislators (also provided below); it could influence the outcome of the vote on Bill 1329, and spare some folks the pain of what Anne experienced --the aftereffects she of course continues to manage--at the age of 26. If you want to talk to me, or to Annie directly, just holler. If you feel like you'd like to contribute some correspondence but aren't comfortable without knowing more, I absolutely understand; you all know how to reach me :). THANK YOU GUYS!


SAMPLE LETTER TEXT:
Re:  2011 – Illinois Senate Bill 1329

Dear Chairman William Delgado and members of the Public Health Committee:

As an Illinois resident, I strongly urge you to support Senate Bill 1329 which seeks to ban the use of tanning services by individuals under 18 years of age and will be heard before the Human Services Committee.  I feel it is extremely important to protect the children of Illinois from this known human carcinogen.

I have personally seen the adverse effects of indoor tanning. <>

I am concerned about the growing incidence of skin cancer.  The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a division of the World Health Organization, has moved UV radiation from tanning beds to its highest cancer risk category, labeling it as “carcinogenic to humans.”

In 2008, the National Cancer Institute reported that the number of melanoma cases for young women between the ages of 15 to 39 increased as much as 50% from 1980 to 2004.  It is believed that the rising rate of melanoma is, in part, due to the popularity of tanning salons among young women. 

This year, more than 2 Million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States.  Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is now the second most common cancer in women aged 20-29. It is the leading cause of cancer death in women ages 25-30 and is second only to breast cancer women aged 30-34.

In 2010, approximately 68,000 people in the United States were diagnosed with melanoma, of which 8,650 died from this disease.  Last year, Illinois reported approximately 2,280 new cases of melanoma and an estimated 360 people in Illinois will die from this disease this year.

With these statistics come staggering health care costs.  In 2004, the total direct cost associated with treating just non-melanoma skin cancer was $1.5 Billion – $1.2 Billion was attributed to care received in a physician’s office.

The World Health Organization, AIM at Melanoma, the American Medical Association, and the American Academy of Dermatology have recommended that no one under the age of 18 use tanning parlor radiation.

In the interest of protecting teens from the early onset of serious medical conditions, I strongly ask that you support Senate Bill 1329.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

<>

ADDRESSES

wdelagado@senatedem.ilga.gov
senatorhunter03@sbcglobal.net
ilsenate29@sbcglobal.net
info@noland.org
Senator@jschoenberg.org
hsteans@senatedem.ilga.gov
info@senatordavesyverson.com
shanecultra53@yahoo.com
senatorchristine@frontier.com
carole@pankau.org

HERE, TOO, IS CONTACT INFORMATION SHOULD YOU WANT ANY OTHER INFORMATION:

For more information on indoor tanning legislation throughout the country, contact Samantha Guild at sguild@AIMatMelanoma.org