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Community Outreach
Each Alpha has the opportunity to channel their motivation and outrage into something very positive—community outreach. Each Alpha has the opportunity to make a difference in their special way and contribute to the betterment of the Alpha-1 Community. Community Outreach can occur in many different ways.
■ Join or Start a Support Group. Peer support and education is vital to all
Alphas and family members. You can share your experiences, learn from
other Alphas and empower yourself to take charge of your health in a safe
environment. Support groups have access to the full resources of the Alpha-1
Association and stand as one voice in the Alpha-1 Community.
■ Become a Peer Guide. The Peer Guide Program connects a newly diagnosed Alpha, or someone whose life has been affected by Alpha-1 (Peer) to another Alpha (Guide) with a similar set of circumstances. Through this connection, the Peer has the opportunity to discuss difficulties and issues he/she is experiencing with someone who has already experienced these same issues.
■ Create Awareness in Your Community. Educate your community about
Alpha-1 through grassroots efforts. You can work with the press to generate
media coverage regarding your personal story in the form of TV segments,
radio interviews and print articles. You can speak at local civic and community
groups about Alpha-1. Obtain a proclamation from your Governor for
Alpha-1 Awareness Month in May of each year.
■ Help Identify Alphas. It is estimated that more than 90% of individuals living
with Alpha-1 have not been diagnosed. You can help educate your physicians,
participate in local health fairs, and connect with your local American Lung
Association and America Liver Foundation to educate people on Alpha-1.
■ Join Advocacy Efforts. Take the initiative to learn about current legislative
and regulatory issues that affect Alphas through our Action Alerts available
through your local Support Groups and take action. Write to your legislators and make appointments to meet with them and express your opinion on key issues. Be sure you are on the Association’s E-Advocates list - get involved by becoming an advocate.
Call 1-800-521-3025 to learn more about the resources available to you from the Alpha-1 Association for your Community Outreach activities.
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