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Welcome, kidney advocates! This toolkit will help you extend your advocacy outreach using social media during the 116th Congress.

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This year’s social media theme, “My Kidneys, My Life,” aims to send a strong message to the lawmakers that kidneys are vital organs that sustain life. Help make it a success by using social media to garner attention from lawmakers and the public.  Curious how to find your legislator’s social media account information? — click here.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1443″ img_size=”full” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_accordion style=”accordion”][vc_accordion_tab title=”Hashtag: #MyKidneysMyLife” title_color=”#f15e22″][vc_column_text]Use the hashtag #MyKidneysMyLife with all your social media activity during 2019-20 to help us build awareness around the hashtag, and track responses and outreach to government officials.  Find your legislator’s social media account information here.

 

For some basic tips, watch Kidney Advocacy Committee (KAC) liaison Rahmeka Cox’s video:[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLUFHyx7jFc” el_width=”30″ align=”center” title=”Cox Video”][/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”Message Points” title_color=”#f15e22″][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1496688492946{padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”]The following are four actionable items we’ll be asking the lawmakers for. Use these message points in your social media activity.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]Living Donor Protection Act :

Prohibit discrimination in the availability, coverage limit, or price of life, disability or long-term care insurance for living donors and add living donation to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]Extending Medicare coverage for Immunosuppressive Medication:

Transplant recipients need these drugs to maintain their kidney and lower risk of rejection. Medicare covers immunosuppressants for only 36 months post-transplant, leaving many recipients struggling to find affordable coverage. Extending Medicare coverage for immunosuppressive medications indefinitely ensures patients have access to these lifesaving medications.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]Appropriations:

Increase funding in Fiscal Year 2020 for: CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation’s (DDT) CKD Surveillance Project; the Health Resources and Services
Administration’s (HRSA) Division of Transplantation and Bureau of Primary Care; the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK); and KidneyX, the Kidney Innovation Accelerator.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”Twitter Tips” title_color=”#f15e22″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1549057683122{margin-left: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 2px !important;}”]

1. Follow each of your lawmakers on Twitter. Find your legislators’ social media handles.
2. Follow the National Kidney Foundation (@NKF_Advocacy and @NKF).
3. Whenever appropriate, tag your lawmakers in your tweets, especially tweets that thank them for allowing a visit with you.
4. The text of your tweet must be under 280 characters. New: Twitter’s character limit now excludes space for link and/or photo, so you can add those freely even after the character count of your tweet has reached 280.
5. Add photos and videos of your visits with lawmakers!
6. Identify your hometown and use a hashtag like #constituent to identify yourself as a resident in their district or state.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”Sample Tweets For Legislative Action” title_color=”#f15e22″][vc_column_text]1. Take a photo of yourself holding a sign that answers the following question: How did kidney disease affect/change your life? (Example: “I have been waiting 5 years for a lifesaving kidney transplant.”)[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20″][vc_column_text]2. Tweet the photo at your legislator using the hashtag #MyKidneysMyLife and tie it to one of the below statistics:

• An estimated 30 million Americans have kidney disease.
• Over 725,000 Americans have irreversible kidney disease.
• Over 100,000 people with kidney failure died in 2015.
• Approximately 95,000 Americans are waiting for a kidney transplant.
• Nearly 21,200 Americans received a kidney transplant in 2018.
• Over 6,400 of Americans received a kidney transplant from a living donor in 2018.

Or use a state-specific state from the fact sheets on our web site:[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20″][vc_column_text]3. Or use these the following additional tweets:

• Excited to support kidney patient advocates @NKF in CKD education @[YourREP/SEN]. http://bit.ly/22u1q39 #MyKidneysMyLife [TWEET THIS]
• I’m on my way to DC to tell @[YourREP/SEN] that kidney disease should be a national priority. http://bit.ly/22u1q39 #MyKidneysMyLife [TWEET THIS]
• Once your kidneys stop working, so do you. Support kidney patients and @NKF @[YourREP/SEN] : #MyKidneysMyLife http://bit.ly/22u1q39  [TWEET THIS]
• I urge Congress to co-sponsor the Living Donor Protection Act and help save kidney patient lives. http://bit.ly/22u1q39 #MyKidneysMyLife [TWEET THIS]
• We need more funding to battle kidney disease. That’s why writing you @[YourREP/SEN] http://bit.ly/22u1q39 #MyKidneysMyLife [TWEET THIS]
• Working with kidney advocates to push Washington to pay attention to kidney patients. http://bit.ly/22u1q39 #MyKidneysMyLife [TWEET THIS]
• I urge members of Congress to improve early detection & care for people with kidney disease. http://bit.ly/22u1q39 #MyKidneysMyLife [TWEET THIS]
• Thank you @[YourREP/SEN] for agreeing to follow-up on [ISSUE] @NKF #MyKidneysMyLife [TWEET THIS]

[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”3184,3183,3182,3181″ onclick=”img_link_large” custom_links_target=”_blank” column_number=”4″ grayscale=”no” images_space=”gallery_with_space”][/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”Facebook Tips” title_color=”#f15e22″][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]

• Like or follow the Facebook pages of supportive lawmakers.
• Follow:

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1489442084379{margin-left: 60px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;}”]National Kidney Foundation[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1496688711339{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]

• Post photos and videos of you and your advocacy activities on your Facebook wall.
• When sharing to your own wall, tag your lawmakers in the post by using the “@” symbol before typing their name (or the name of their Facebook page).
• Post photos and videos to the Facebook walls of your lawmakers when applicable.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”Sample Facebook Posts for Legislative Action” title_color=”#f15e22″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1496689010729{margin-left: 20px !important;}”]

1. I’m supporting kidney patient advocates with the National Kidney Foundation to urge @[YourREP/SEN] to improve early detection, care and outcomes for people with chronic kidney disease. http://bit.ly/22u1q39 #MyKidneysMyLife
2. I’m supporting kidney patient advocates with the National Kidney Foundation to urge @[YourREP/SEN] to support the Living Donor Protection Act (HR 1270) and help protect living organ donors. http://bit.ly/22u1q39 #MyKidneysMyLife
3. I’m supporting kidney patient advocates with the National Kidney Foundation to urge @[YourREP/SEN] to support organ transplant patients by extending Medicare coverage of immunosuppressant medications indefinitely. http://bit.ly/22u1q39 #MyKidneysMyLife
4. I will be meeting with @[YourREP/SEN] to tell him/her that kidney disease should be a national priority. http://bit.ly/22u1q39 #MyKidneysMyLife
5. I’m posting to push @[YourREP/SEN] on kidney disease funding initiatives. If you don’t know why this is so important to me, [INSERT PERSONAL STORY]. You can also help by becoming a kidney disease advocate: http://bit.ly/2lsTJjE #MyKidneysMyLife
6. I am honored to help raise awareness about kidney disease with the National Kidney Foundation in Congress. Kidney disease is personal to me. I want to be heard and affect change for those suffering from kidney disease. http://bit.ly/2lsTJjE #MyKidneysMyLife
7. Thank you @[YourREP/SEN] for agreeing to support [YOUR ISSUE] and kidney patients. http://bit.ly/2lsTJjE #MyKidneysMyLife

[/vc_column_text][/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”Images” title_color=”#f15e22″][vc_column_text]It’s best to use your own photos and video in your social media activity. If you need an additional supporting image, you may download the one below.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”101356″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large” img_link_target=”_blank” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”101357″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large” img_link_target=”_blank” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”Video Tips” title_color=”#f15e22″][vc_column_text]We encourage you to take videos with your smartphone when participating in district or advocacy events.  Please load your videos on Youtube, share them with your legislators on social media and email a link of the video to Andrew.Fullerton@kidney.org.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1496688805406{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”]

• Filming from home:
  • Write out your comments prior to filming
  • Practice, practice, practice! It is hard to keep it short and be clear if you don’t
  • Speak clearly so that it is easy to understand on a computer or cell phone
  • Hold your phone sideways when filming
  • Try to record videos in quiet, well-lit areas and be aware of your surroundings.  Can you include a dialysis machine in the background?  Are you with your family?  Are you in a dialysis center or hospital?
  • Make sure to make it personal to you and tug on those heart strings
  • Creativity is encouraged!
  • Use #Mykidneysmylife when you send these to your legislators via Twitter and Facebook!

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• Filming a video with your lawmakers:
  • Ask your lawmaker for permission to take and share video of your meeting or interaction.
  • Assign someone to take video during your conversation.
  • Ask your lawmaker to pose for a photo after the video.
  • Consider including other advocates in your video with the legislator.
  • Try to record videos in quiet, well-lit areas and be aware of your surroundings.
  • Hold your phone sideways when filming
  • Use #Mykidneysmylife when you send these to your legislators via Twitter and Facebook!

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Keep your message short and simple.  Here are some sample questions and comments you can answer in your videos:

• Include tour name and hometown.
• What is your story with kidney disease?
• Tell lawmakers to co-sponsor the Living Donor Protection Act, CKD early detection and management legislation, and appropriations for CKD research and treatment programs.
• How does kidney disease impact your state or district?  How many kidney disease patients are there?
• Why did you decide to become an advocate?
• What brings you to Capitol Hill or other event today?
• What do you want lawmakers to know about kidney care?
• Describe your visit with your lawmaker.
• Thank lawmakers for their time and support.

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1496688834328{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]Examples of videos from other kidney patient advocates:

• Video from Risa in Phoenix, AZ
• Video from Lois in Bryn Mawr, PA
• Video from Mary in Houston, TX

[/vc_column_text][/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”Photo Tips” title_color=”#f15e22″][vc_column_text]We encourage you to take photos with your smartphone when participating in district and advocacy events.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1496688856928{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”]

• Ask your lawmaker for permission to take and share photos of your meeting or interaction.
• Assign someone to snap action photos during your conversation.
• Ask your lawmaker to pose for a photo after the conversation of meeting.
• Take a photo at the location of the event you met your legislator.
• Take a photo with a group of advocates.
• Take a photo outside the door of your Member’s office or building next to their name plate and state flag.
• Try to encourage your lawmaker’s participation in the photo. This will increase the chances that his/her office will share the photo with constituents.
• If your lawmaker cannot be part of the photo, be sure to include their name (s) in your photo’s description and written message on social media.
• Write a short advocacy message on a piece of paper and take a photo while holding the paper.

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Keep your message short and simple.  Some suggestions:

• What impact does kidney disease have on you, your state, or district?
• Write a statistic down to illustrate your message or story.  How many people have CKD or a transplant in your state?  How many visits/hours to a doctor or dialysis center do you make per year?  How much do your medications cost per year?
• Why did you decide to become an advocate?
• What brings you to Capitol Hill or other event today?
• What do you want lawmakers to know about kidney care?
• Describe your visit with your lawmaker.

See #mykidneysmylife on Twitter to see what others have done![/vc_column_text][/vc_accordion_tab][/vc_accordion][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”60″][/vc_column][/vc_row]