A Call to Action - it is time to “Get the Word OUT!” ™

Have you ever thought to yourself “what can I do to help educate the medical community about HCM”? We know many of you have and we have created a program to help YOU and your community “Get the Word OUT!” ™.

Our recent surveys have shown that the general medical community has a very limited understanding of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.   The HCMA believes that this lack of awareness is due to the fact they do not see it often or more specifically they do not NOTICE it often.  The phrase out of sight out of mind seems to best describe what is happening.  Therefore, we must bring HCM to the minds of doctors within all communities across the country, one area at a time. 

Have you ever heard the saying…

“How do you eat an elephant?…One bite at a time.”

This best describes the “Get the Word OUT!”™ program.

Here is how it works.  You raise funds within your own community or choose to self-fund the program.  If you wish to raise funds you could do this a number of ways  including garage sales, bake sales, spaghetti dinners, business donations, family and friends donations or hold an event like a 5K run, golf outing or similar event.  The FUNDS RAISED WILL COME BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY by means of the following system.

Based on the funds received the HCMA will send each doctor in your area a copy of “HCM for Patients, Their Families and Interested Physicians” By Maron and Salberg along with an information package containing medical journal articles and HCMA Fact Sheets.  We will begin in each community by mailing to Cardiac professionals including Cardiologists and Electrophysiologists, and area hospital emergency rooms.  Based on funding, we would then include family practice, pediatricians, pulmonary practices, surgeons, gynecologists, and other sub specialties as funds permit.  The HCMA will send a press release to your community announcing the mailing, your efforts to raise awareness and hopefully creating some news coverage. 

The cost of the book, printed materials, postage, mailing list, public relations efforts and labor are what your fundraising efforts will pay for. 

“Get the Word OUT! ™  50” - A mailing to 50 medical practice offices will be $1,800.

“Get the Word OUT! ™ 100” - A mailing to 100 medial practice offices will be $3,500.

“Get the Word OUT! ™ 150” - A mailing to 150 medical practice offices will be $4,900.

For larger mailings, contact the HCMA office for pricing.

Now what do you have to do to get started?

There are a few options to think about before you get started on your “Get the Word OUT! ™” efforts.

Are you going to self-fund the program? Are you going to run an event, which will require a venue, advertising and be structured? Are you going to request donations from friends, family and local business?

For self-funded efforts simply call the HCMA office and let us know you want to sponsor a “Get the Word OUT! ™” program and specify the number and geographic location you want to focus on and your sponsorship amount.  The mailing and press release will take 2 to 3 weeks to reach your community. 

If you would like to run a fundraising event to sponsor the mailing and you wish to use the HCMA name and logo in your fund raising efforts we would ask you to complete a fundraising agreement form.  This form assures that those raising funds in the name of the HCMA operate at the highest level of professionalism and you will be asked to provide a financial report at the conclusion of fundraising (it is a small simple report).  You will likely need to organize a team or committee to help you accomplish your goals.  Friends and families can be of great help and support but others in your community may be willing to lend a hand and who knows you may even make some new friends during the process!

If you wish to raise funds for this sponsorship through less formal means than an “event” such as a bake sale, garage sale or requesting donations from friends, families and local business you can simply use the “Get the Word OUT! ™” sponsor sheet to share information on this program and track your donors.  This tool will make sure we can thank them when the program is completed.

You may have other ideas as to how to fund your “Get the Word OUT! ™” program in your community and we encourage you to be creative and have some fun while helping us, help you save lives!

Together we can help stop a killer and improve the lives of thousands of people with HCM.

For more information on “Get the Word OUT! ™” email the HCMA at Support@4hcm.org or call the office at 973-983-7429 we look forward to helping you make your program a success!