Tuberculosis Isn't an Ancient Threat. It's an Urgent One that Needs Our Attention!

Tuberculosis has been making headlines in major publications recently, and with multidrug-resistant strains posing an increasing threat, now is not the time for us to let our foot off the gas. In addition to the work you’re doing pushing for strong foreign aid appropriations funding for FY14, you have options regarding important World TB Day media you can pitch to your local papers.

First, read the 2013 World TB Day editorial packet, and plan to make your pitch! Your work to get TB on to the editorial page of your local paper will support our efforts for robust funding to fight the tuberculosis scourge — funding that includes robust support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Second, use our laser talk to help you make your editorial pitch! Remember to not be discouraged if your paper doesn’t print an editorial on this first pitch. You could respond by suggesting that you are willing to submit an op-ed as a local reader/advocate/leader. You are relationship-building by making the pitch in the first place, and you can build on this as our tuberculosis work reaches a crescendo with the approach of the fall Global Fund replenishment. The world is talking about TB; help your newspaper do the same.

Third, ACTION partner. Luwiza has graciously lent her story to our advocacy work, getting on the road and sharing with grassroots, the media, and Congress alike in support of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Check out some of Luwiza’s presence on the radio, on Humanosphere, in the RESULTS and ACTION blogs, and on the Hill.