Proclamations – statements encouraging people to take note of a particular person, place or time of year – are a popular way for elected officials to recognize issues that are important to their constituents. Proclamations can be issued by officials at any level of government, including city council members, governors and members of Congress.

Requesting a proclamation can often be as simple as filling out an online form, which makes it an easy way to bring awareness of pulmonary hypertension (PH) to your community during Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month in November. Some government offices will respond to your request by simply mailing your proclamation to your home. To get the most awareness-raising mileage from your proclamation, consider these steps:

• Ask that the proclamation be presented to you publicly, at venues such as an upcoming City Council meeting. Be sure to have someone take a photo.
• Ask for the elected official’s office to issue a press release about the proclamation. Offer to provide information for use in the press release about PH and how it has impacted your life. Use this fact sheet as a resource.
• Send a photo of yourself receiving your proclamation to your local news outlets. Include a caption that explains what PH is, how it has impacted you and that November is Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month.
• Be sure to tell the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA). PHA would like to receive an electronic copy of your proclamation, photos and/or media coverage.

For more information, including a template for requesting a proclamation, visit www.PHAssociation.org/Awareness or contact Awareness@PHAssociation.org