Chronic Illness Advocacy & Awareness Group, Inc.
Become a Member of CIAAG Advocate Army
Become a Member of CIAAG Advocate Army
Join CIAAG’s "Advocate Army" to become empowered in your health care. We will arm you with the knowledge and education to help you advocate for yourself and along with us at CIAAG. As a Member of CIAAG you will receive bi-weekly email updates from our Executive Team with breaking news stories, CIAAG exclusive research findings and will be granted access to our Advocacy Army Library along with access to the State Leadership Program to learn how to engage the democratic process in advocating for your rights!
CIAAG offers 3 options for membership. Each level of membership provides different levels of services our members are entitled to as outlined below:
Advocate Army Membership: Bi-weekly email updates, access to CIAAG informative webinars, access to CIAAG Advocate Army Library which includes our Advocacy 101: Tips & Tools, pre-screened documents for members to bring to meetings with their lawmakers/stakeholders and access to the CIAAG State Leadership Program.
Ambassador Membership: All items included in the Advocate Army Membership level plus Federal Agency Reports, 1 CIAAG "Advocate Army" Bracelet and 20 Ambassador Business Cards to bring to meetings and/or events.
Sergeant Membership: All items included in the Advocate Army and Ambassador Membership levels plus Federal Agency Reports, 2 CIAAG "Advocate Army" Bracelets and 20 Sergeant Business Cards to bring to meetings and/or events.
CIAAG Membership
We want to empower all our members to advocate for themselves and learn how to effectively communicate with their lawmakers to help influence policy change. As a member you will be granted access to our Advocate Army Library which includes:
- Advocacy 101 Fliers
- How to Guides
- Meeting Documents
- Reports from Federal Agencies
- Research
- CIAAG Exclusive Webinars
Become a Member of CIAAG's Advocate Army today to learn how to engage the democratic process and advocate for yourself and along with us here at CIAAG. #CIAAGStrong!!!
- Why Become a Member?
- Membership Tiers & Pricing
- Make Your Donation:
- Join the Advocate Army: Register/Login Here
- Go the next step and join the State Leadership for free! You can learn more below by watching our informative webinars. After registering as a Member just email us at [email protected] ​with your name and address. Make sure to title your email "State Leadership". You will then be granted access to our national directory to help you successfully advocate in your home state.
Note: Membership is based on a January 1st - December 31st term. Membership is contingent upon receipt of renewal of your membership each year.
State Leadership
State Leadership
As a Member of CIAAG you are automatically eligible to participate in our State Leadership Program. This program is designed to be used by everyone, whether you're politically savvy or if this is your first time advocating. Here at CIAAG we believe everyone is a leader!
The State Leadership Program will provide you access to our National Directory which provides the contact information for all the relevant individuals you need to speak to as a part of your advocacy including Elected Officials and state Opioid Task Forces.
As a part of the State Leadership Program you will receive step-by-step directions from our Executive Team on ways you can get involved at the state level to advocate for your healthcare rights.
This is a self-paced program! How much you do is completely up to you. We provide opportunities to engage in advocacy using coordinated email campaigns as well as provide mentoring services to our Members interested in meeting one on one with their Elected Officials.
State Leadership Part 1
State Leadership Part 1
This is the first video of two about our State Leadership Program. It gives the viewer some insight how to sign up, get involved and outlines the basic steps one would need to take to get involved.
State Leadership Part 2
State Leadership Part 2
This video takes our members through the first step in the overall process of participating as a State Leader. In our video "How to Find a Bill", we introduce members to the process by which they can obtain copies of the bills that are being brought forth in their state. This enables the member to begin to engage in the democratic process.
Calls to Action:
Calls to Action:
​Chronic Illness Advocacy & Awareness Group engages with the patient and professional community to help raise awareness and effect positive change for people living with painful illnesses and/or conditions. We encourage our members to get involved whether they want to meet with lawmakers face to face or are more comfortable sending emails from your home. At CIAAG we have a place for you!
​Chronic Illness Advocacy & Awareness Group engages with the patient and professional community to help raise awareness and effect positive change for people living with painful illnesses and/or conditions. We encourage our members to get involved whether they want to meet with lawmakers face to face or are more comfortable sending emails from your home. At CIAAG we have a place for you!
05-28-2020 Living Immunocompromised during COVID-19
05-16-2020 CMS Letter RE: 90 Day Supply during COVID-19
Advocate of the Month
Advocate of the Month
​Chronic Illness Advocacy & Awareness Group is proud to present our Advocate of the Month program! As a member of CIAAG, you are automatically able to participate and be eligible for various prizes each month. In order to participate, all you need to do is engage in some type of advocacy activity such as:
* Email/call or meet with Elected Officials or other stakeholders to advocate on behalf of patient rights.
* Follow the instructions for one of the CIAAG Calls To Action emails and send a copy to us at [email protected]
* Attend your local opioid task force meeting.
* Attend a local legislative event/meeting.
* Attend/participate in conferences and distribute CIAAG flyers and documents.
* Write to media outlets and/or other publication/forums.
We will maintain a record of your advocacy efforts and award the advocate of the month prize accordingly. Each individual who is recognized as Advocate of the Month will also be considered for CIAAG's Advocate of the Year; which we will award in December!
​Chronic Illness Advocacy & Awareness Group is proud to present our Advocate of the Month program! As a member of CIAAG, you are automatically able to participate and be eligible for various prizes each month. In order to participate, all you need to do is engage in some type of advocacy activity such as:
* Email/call or meet with Elected Officials or other stakeholders to advocate on behalf of patient rights.
* Follow the instructions for one of the CIAAG Calls To Action emails and send a copy to us at [email protected]
* Attend your local opioid task force meeting.
* Attend a local legislative event/meeting.
* Attend/participate in conferences and distribute CIAAG flyers and documents.
* Write to media outlets and/or other publication/forums.
We will maintain a record of your advocacy efforts and award the advocate of the month prize accordingly. Each individual who is recognized as Advocate of the Month will also be considered for CIAAG's Advocate of the Year; which we will award in December!
Betty Miserendino
Betty Miserendino
January 2020
Betty has consistently shown dedication and enthusiasm in her advocacy efforts. Often, Betty will take it upon herself to write to media outlets to educate them on the impact their sensationalized and propagandized stories are having on the patient population. She had multiple op-eds published in her local paper. In addition, she regularly participates in the CIAAG Calls to Action. Finally, she has met with her local congressman and continues to maintain contact with their offices to ask for palliative care protections to be extended to the patient population via CIAAG's proposed Palliative Care Bill, Equal & Fair Access to Palliative Care.
Susan
Susan
February 2020
We would like to recognize CIAAG Member, Susan, as Advocate of the Month for February 2020. Susan was the first to step forward and volunteer her time to pull legislation for her home state. In addition, she is working with the CIAAG team to review the proposed bills and testify at her statehouse to oppose/support portions of the proposed legislation as a part of CIAAG's State Leadership Program.
(Image & Full Name withheld at members request)
Delorse Croissette
Delorse Croissette
March 2020
We would like to recognize CIAAG Member, Delorse Croisette, as Advocate of the Month for Match 2020. Delorse has stepped forward to help our team gather the contact information for the state level Opioid Task Forces to help enable our Members to engage in the State Leadership Program.
In addition, she has produced a number of educational videos on YouTube and Periscope to help teach community members about their civil rights, the constitution and how they too can get involved in advocating for themselves and here with us at CIAAG!
Ann Marie Silva
Ann Marie Silva
April 2020
This month we would like to recognize CIAAG Member, Ann Marie Silva for her extraordinary efforts in advocacy. Ann Marie has been appointed as a committee member on her local Opioid Task Force in Stanislaus County, CA.
In addition, she has attended a number of opioid conferences in her home state and passed out CIAAG Flyers and Fact Sheets to attendees to help raise awareness of the crisis facing individuals who medically require opioid medications to manage their chronic illnesses/incurable conditions
Sandra Newman
Sandra Newman
May 2020
This month we would like to recognize CIAAG Member, Sandra Newman for taking it upon herself to help collect signatures for our correspondence to CMS asking for proper notification to be sent to the states advising of the DEA Rule which permits 90 day supply of scheduled II medications during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Leah LoneBear
Leah LoneBear
June 2020
This month we would like to recognize CIAAG Member, Leah Lonebear for always being a fierce advocate online. In addition, Leah has dedicated her time and talents to helping gather patient commentary for upcoming legislative meetings. She has consistently shown a dedication to advocacy and standing up for what is morally right in the face of opposition.
CIAAG is a 501(c)-3 Non-Profit Organization, therefore donations are 100% tax deductible.