Dear Friends,

Tomorrow all around the country, individuals will gather to recognize Independence Day.  Nowhere are celebrations more intense and widespread than here in the nation’s capital.  

As we thought about the holiday and what it means to us at the Network, we think about our history and what value we bring to women’s lives.  The Network was founded on the principles of balanced and accurate information to women—an independent source for information about women’s health.  When it comes to our lives and making decisions about our health or that of our loved ones, nothing is more important than knowing that the facts we have on hand are ones that aren’t unduly influenced by money, power or outside authorities.  

Nowhere was the Network’s approach to women’s health more powerful than our work to advocate on behalf of women who urgently needed to know whether menopause hormone therapy was the right choice for them.  As you know, the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), the largest study of women’s health and one that was independently funded, was undertaken in response to the Network’s advocacy.  For this reason, I hope you will take a moment to share with us your story about how you made decisions about your health or found information INDEPENDENT of that provided by the media or industry.  Celebrate the milestones we have made in the last decade to assure accurate health information.

Our work to inform women is made possible through your generous support.  Your partnership as a member is valuable and I am writing to encourage you to contribute today!  

There is a lot to celebrate and recognize on this important holiday, especially our freedom to demand independent, trustworthy health information.

Take a moment this week to:

• Email us a photo of you wearing a bra over your clothes, just a bra or topless to celebrate the 160,000 women who didn’t get breast cancer over the last decade thanks to the WHI
• Share your story of how hormone therapy and menopause research has affected your health
• Give a donation to fund this vital work

On behalf of everyone at the Network, we wish you and yours a fun and safe holiday!  Thank you for your ongoing support of our work!

Sincerely,


Cynthia Pearson
Executive Director

P.S. If you’re in the DC area, please join us for special anniversary events recognizing the accomplishments of the WHI!  The events are free but we ask that you register.