In the run up to World TB Day on the 24^th March 2010, the UK Coalition to Stop TB is preparing to launch their 2010 campaign ‘TB: A disease of the past? Action Now!’

The campaign will combine a series of activities to make a high impact statement to the UK Government about the need and importance of prioritising TB on the domestic and global health agenda.

On the evening of 24^th March, the UK coalition to Stop TB in partnership with the NGO Target Tuberculosis will be hosting a photo exhibition ‘Hope – Stories from India’ showcasing a series of photographs taken by the professional photographer David Brunetti, showcasing the impact of TB on marginalised communities.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu

In addition, this evening will also see the launch of the Coalition’s campaign with the release of its TB manifesto ‘TB Election Asks.’ With the foreword supported and signed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, our ‘TB Election Asks’ focuses on harnessing the energy of the upcoming elections in garnering the political will to show leadership in the UK Governments ability to take immediate action.

These activities will be threaded by a letter writing campaign supported by grass roots activists all over the country, to bring about a united message of solidarity in calling the UK Government to make a commitment to tackling tuberculosis.

How to take part in the letter writing campaign

It is now less than 2 weeks until WORLD TB DAY 2010! We are asking that you TAKE ACTION NOW and support the 2010 Campaign to make TB a priority for the incoming UK government.

What we are asking from you is simple:

1) Please write a letter or email your local MP:
MPs take notice of their constituents – so please contact your local MP, and bring tuberculosis to their attention. Ask them to forward the attached UK Coalition to Stop TB ‘Election Asks’ (link here to pdf version of Election Asks) document to their appropriate Party Leader and International Development Ministers, with a request that TB is prioritised within their party. Also, ask your MP to sign EDM no. 1072 on Tuberculosis before World TB Day!

2) Please write a letter or email your local parliamentary candidates:
Parliamentary candidates take notice of their potential constituents – please contact the parliamentary candidates in your area and bring tuberculosis to their attention. You can ask them what they will do to ensure that TB is a priority for their party should they be elected. Ask them to forward the attached UK Coalition to Stop TB ‘Election Asks’ document to their appropriate party leader and International Development Ministers, with a request that TB is prioritised within their party.

To make this as easy as possible we have already drafted a TEMPLATE LETTER that you could tailor for your MP or candidate in a couple of minutes!

3) Post the TB Election Asks to your local MP or PPC (prospective parliamentary candidates). This will show your support and solidarity in this UK Coalition to Stop TB Campaign. You can find out your local MP through www.theyworkforyou.com

Writing a letter or email should only take ½ hour out of your day, and could make a huge difference to raising the profile of TB in the lead up to the election. PLEASE show your support and take part…. and let us know if you do!