Increase funding & awareness! All the templates and email addresses you need!!!!

December 7, 2010

I made it simple and easy for everyone. As I read through each of your responses on the herpes cure research forum, I see most of you have good ways to reaching out to the media. I designed this thread for everyone to simply scroll down the list and submit their ideas for supporting the herpes cure researches. Many people don’t have time to read all the posts, so here is a quick way to let those individuals help raise awareness as well. If you don’t find your link then please feel free to add it. I do not take full credit for the original templates listed in this thread.

Oprah Winfrey Magazine

Dear 'O' Staff-

I am writing this letter to draw your attention to a significant health news story about a condition which affects me personally.

Currently, ground-breaking research is occurring in one of the most common (and overlooked) diseases in the world - Herpes. This virus affects ONE OUT OF FIVE Americans, and is the most common STD in the United States. While not life threatening, it does often have substantial complications for pregnant women and their babies, and studies have shown that it increases one's susceptibility to acquiring the HIV virus. In addition, it is one of the most stigmatized conditions in our culture. The truth is that this condition affects many, many Americans. Most people are ill informed and unaware of just how pervasive this condition is in our society.

In the past several years, both CNN and NPR have run stories on this topic. However, new information has come to light in the form of additional grants and new collaborations between laboratories at Duke University and the University of Florida.

At Duke University, Dr. Brian Cullen has made tremendous strides in researching this virus and believes that a cure is possible. Dr. David Bloom at the University of Florida is also on the cutting edge of researching how this virus affects and inhabits human cells. Both labs acknowledge that funding for the research of this disease is the biggest obstacle to further understanding it. This research has enormous implications for patients, health organizations, and pharmaceutical companies around the world.

Given the prevalence of this condition, this information appears extremely newsworthy. Thank you for your consideration of this topic.

Please copy and paste this template and submit to it Oprah through the following link. https://www.oprah.com/ownshow/plug_form.html?plug_id=505

Kenneth Dart, billionaire, now owns 7 pct of Peregrine. He is also on the board of the Dart Foundation that grants money for research, etc… Ask Dart to advance Peregrine enough money to test Bavi for HSV.

Mr. Dart:

Mr. Kenneth Dart, I see where you now own 7pct of Peregrine Pharmaceuticals. They have gone on record indicating their drug Bavi may be a cure for HSV. This disease afflicts hundreds of millions worldwide and has been linked to Alzheimers. Further, HSV increases one's chances of acquiring HIV anad makes people with HIV more contagious.

Myself and many others have reached out to Peregrine and asked them to specifically test for HSV. We've even asked them to accept donations to fund a clinical trial. We have made no progress towards this aim. Accordingly, I ask that you strongly consider:

1. Granting Peregrine money to test for HSV, and

2. Persuade them to take on this test for the betterment of many millions of sufferers.

Thanks so much for any assistance you can provide!

Please copy and paste this template and submit to it Dart through the following link. http://www.dartfoundation.org/web/dartfweb.nsf/pages/contactus.html

Men’s Magazine

Hey peeps! I also sent an email to Men's Health magazine. Here's the address email for suggested story topics:

To Whom It May Concern,

As a longtime reader of Men’s Health, I am writing this letter to draw your attention to a significant health news story.

Currently, ground-breaking research is occurring in one of the most common (and overlooked) diseases in the world - Herpes.

This virus affects ONE OUT OF FIVE Americans, and is the most common STD in the United States. While not life threatening, it does often have substantial complications for pregnant women and their babies, and studies have shown that it increases one's susceptibility to acquiring the HIV virus. In addition, it is one of the most stigmatized conditions in our culture. The truth is that this condition affects many men. Many men (and women) are ill informed and unaware of just how pervasive this condition is in our society.

In the past several years, both CNN and NPR have run stories on this topic. However, new information has come to light in the form of additional grants and new collaborations between laboratories at Duke University and the University of Florida.

At Duke University, Dr. Brian Cullen has made tremendous strides in researching this virus and believes that a cure is possible.

Dr. David Bloom at the University of Florida is also on the cutting edge of researching how this virus affects and inhabits human cells. Both labs acknowledge that funding for the research of this disease is the biggest obstacle to further understanding it. This research has enormous implications for patients, health organizations, and pharmaceutical companies around the world.

Given the prevalence of this condition, this information is extremely newsworthy for men. Thank you for your consideration of this topic.

Please copy and paste this template and submit to it Men’s Magazine through the following link.

mhletters@rodale.com

News Week

There is a huge focus on better treatments for HIV/AIDS and this is a great idea. Much less attention, if any, is given to a disease that affects MANY more people worldwide - HERPES. Notwithstanding it's painful effects, blisters, sores, stigma, etc. It has been proven that is leads to HIV/AIDS, yes it increases one's chances of acquiring HIV/AIDS threefold. Further, it has been linked to Alzheimer’s as well. Herpes simplex virus-1 increases one’s chance by 15 times for being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s when genetic factors are present.

In the last 30 years, since Valtrex, there hasn't been a single drug to hit the market to prevent or treat Herpes sufferers. Several researchers believe they may be able to cure the disease (Bryan Cullen at Duke University and David Bloom at University of Florida); however, they don't have sufficient funding to adequately pursue.

Genital herpes affects up to 20 percent of the population over 18 and Facial Herpes affects as much as 90 percent of the people over age 50.

This needs some attention and I hope you will do some research and place a story in your paper about this.

Thanks for your time and consideration!

Please copy and paste this template and submit to it News Week through the following link.

http://www.newsweek.com/company/contact-us.html

NIH/NIAID's (This template is to help increase funding)

I'd like to inform you about the Herpes Simplex Virus, HSV-1 (Cold Sores, Genital HSV-1 and Ocular Herpes) & HSV-2 (Genital Herpes which can become Oral Herpes). In an article by Webmd.com, they state that those infected with herpes are more at risk of contracting HIV.[1]

HSV-1 affects 90% of people by age 50 nationwide[2] HSV-2 affects approximately 45 million people[3]. Here's a cure and vaccine option to show interest in. Imagine the amount of people with and without health care insurance who would be freed of getting suppressing herpes medicine monthly. This would free up hospitals greatly and allow doctors to focus on other medical issues. Herpes plays a role in the spread of HIV. Herpes can make people more susceptible to HIV infection[4]&[5]. No longer shall those affected by this virus accept suppression as the norm.

90% of people infected show no signs or symptoms of being infected. After initial infection, the virus moves in the trigeminal ganglion (HSV-1) and cranial nerves near the spine (HSV-2), where it's resides as a life-long, latent virus. Though many don't experience signs or symptoms including outbreaks[6], they're able to pass the virus to others. If you have sex, even kiss someone with no cold sores present[7] (HSV-1 spreads at times when there are no visible symptoms due to what is known as herpes viral shedding) you have a chance of getting herpes. Condoms are not 100% effective against herpes. The herpes sore or lesion is not always located in an area covered by a condom[8]. Many people who get tested may believe herpes testing is included, it is not. Herpes is not included in the routine Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) testing.[9]

HSV-1 commonly affects the mouth and eye region. HSV-1 is now being linked to Alzheimer’s. A sad debilitating disease many of us at one point in our life encounter. Either we become ill by this disease or a loved one becomes victim to it.

A team discovered that the HSV1 DNA is located very specifically in amyloid plaques: 90% of plaques in Alzheimer's disease sufferers' brains contain HSV1 DNA, and most of the viral DNA is located within amyloid plaques. The team had previously shown that HSV1 infection of nerve-type cells induces deposition of the main component, beta amyloid, of amyloid plaques. Together, these findings strongly implicate HSV1 as a major factor in the formation of amyloid deposits and plaques, abnormalities thought by many in the field to be major contributors to Alzheimer's disease.[13]

Now, let’s look into the Alzheimer’s statistics and how everyone is being affected by this virus. Directly or indirectly all of us are affected because millions of tax dollars are being used to treat our older population who become victim to this disease.

Key Facts on Alzheimer’s disease

5.3 million people have Alzheimer's

172 billion dollars in annual costs

7th leading cause of death

10.9 million unpaid caregivers

Source: Alzheimer's Association 2010 Alzheimer's disease Facts and Figures

Alzheimer's disease mortality is on the rise

With a rapidly aging baby boomer population, Alzheimer's will continue to impact more lives. From 2000-2006, Alzheimer's disease deaths increased 46.1 percent, while other selected causes of death decreased. Strategic investments in other diseases have resulted in declines in deaths, and we need to see the same type of investment for Alzheimer's.[14]

Just when you thought there could be nothing more detrimentally than herpes being linked to Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately it’s well known that herpes does affect the eyes. This is what is referred to as Ocular Herpes (HSV). Now, let’s look into ocular herpes statistics. Once again we are all directly affected and healthcare cost is continuously rising.

Approximately 20,000 new cases of ocular HSV occur in the United States annually, and more than 28,000 reactivations occur in the United States annually. It is one of the most frequent causes of blindness in the United States with 500,000 people experiencing HSV-related ocular disease.[15]

International

HSV infection is ubiquitous, with an estimated one third of the population worldwide suffering from recurrent infections.[15]

Mortality/Morbidity

HSV keratitis is the most frequent cause of corneal blindness in the United States and is a leading indication for corneal transplantation. HSV keratitis is also the most common cause of infectious blindness in the Western world.[15]

Age

Most HSV eye disease occurs in adults, and it occurs many years after the primary infection. However, herpetic keratitis in children almost always involves the corneal epithelium and is marked by a disproportionate risk of binocular disease, a high recurrence rate, and amblyopia.[15]

Life-Long Inhibition - Professor David Bloom at University of Florida has created a way to cut the virus’ RNA to prevent reactivation. By designing special enzymes called “hammerhead ribozymes”, he's able to target a so-called “late” gene that releases its protein product relatively late after infection. With late genes, partial corruption of the genetic material is sufficient to shut down virus production, as opposed to “early” genes, which would require total inactivation to hinder the process.[10] When administered by a single injection after the initial infection, the therapy provides life-long inhibition of recurring outbreaks.

Cure - Professor Bryan Cullen at Duke University is figuring out how to switch the virus from latency to its active stage. After it's active and a cold sore appears, it's treatable with the drug acyclovir, which kills replicating HSV-1. Cullen believes that a drug could be developed to block the microRNA that suppress HSV-1 into latency; once it's active, acyclovir can be used to destroy the virus permanently.[11]

Vaccine - Professor David Knipe of Harvard Medical School studies the molecular and cellular biology of herpes simplex virus productive and latent infection and the mechanism of the host immune response to HSV. They've also have been studying a candidate genital herpes vaccine that they've developed, and are constructing and studying HSV recombinants as vaccine vectors for AIDS, SARS, West Nile and anthrax vaccines.[12]

Sincerely,

__________________________________________________ _________________________________

References

Ref: [1] All About Genital Herpes: If You Have or Are at Risk for HIV

http://www.webmd.com/genital-herpes/guide/risk-hiv

Ref: [2] How common is oral herpes?

http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes...alherpes.cfm#2

Ref: [3] Genital Herpes - CDC Fact Sheet (How common is genital herpes?)

http://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/STDFact-herpes.htm#common

Ref: [4] Genital Herpes - CDC Fact Sheet (What are the complications of genital herpes?)

http://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/STDFac...#complications

Ref: [5] Scientists Learn Why Even Treated Genital Herpes Sores Boost the Risk of HIV Infection

http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsr.../herpesHIV.htm

Ref: [6] How common are cold sores?

http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/cold...are_cold_sores

Ref: [7] How is the cold sore virus spread?

http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/cold...e_virus_spread

Ref: [8] Steps to greatly reduce the risk of infection

http://www.globalherbalsupplies.com/...to_reduce_risk

Ref: [9] Herpes is NOT included in routine STD screening.

http://centralcalihfriends.org/?ShowPage=1

Ref: [10] University of Florida - Potential new herpes therapy studied

http://news.ufl.edu/2009/02/03/herpes-2/

Ref: [11] Duke University - A Cure for Cold Sores? Times Article

http://www.time.com/time/health/arti...819739,00.html

Ref: [12] Harvard Medical School - Knipe Lab

http://knipelab.med.harvard.edu/default.html

Ref: [13] University of Manchester (2008, December 7). Cold Sore Virus Linked To Alzheimer's Disease: New Treatment, Or Even Vaccine Possible

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081207134109.htm

Ref: [14] Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures. Alzheimer’s Association.

http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_facts_figures.asp

Ref: [15] Keratitis, Herpes Simplex. eMedicine from WebMD

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1194268-overview

Please copy and paste this template and submit it to all of the following links. Three sources are for NIH/NAIHD.

woodgs@od.nih.gov

copr1@palladianpartners.com

smrb@mail.nih.gov

askDPCPSI@od.nih.gov

Here is template to use and send to any organization that will look at this from an economic standpoint. Such as our president, governors, congressmen, and etc….

Please take a moment to read. I have a point of view regarding research funding regarding finding a cure for and the good of HSV. According to research reported in Biomed Central’s journal BMC Infectious Diseases, the economic burden of genital HSV infection and resulting complications has been estimated to be greater than $1 billion annually in the United States alone. I found that information on Biovex’s website. If you are not aware, Biovex has created an engineered version of HSV-1 that does not infect the patient, but fights hard cancer tumors with some success. They have also created another engineered version of HSV-2 as a preventative vaccine and possibly therapeutic. That vaccine is currently in a phase I trial. But like so many vaccines before, it could fail. Another therapeutic vaccine has shown promising results from a phase I trial. This vaccine was created by Antigenetics. They are now looking for a partner to help fund taking the vaccine through a phase II trial. But, that vaccine could fail as well. There is another drug in the last stages of a phase II trial that is a hopeful treatment. It’s not expected that there will be a better treatment option available until 2014 or 2015, that’s if there are no failures. Then maybe a cure around 2010. That’s $20 billion of economic burden at the current rate. HSV has been studied for over 50 years and only one basic antiviral has come out. Yes, more than one drug is on the market, but they all have the same base antiviral.

The cure for this virus would be the better alternative. To free up $1 billion annually just for the cost of treatment is an enormous leap. It would free up current funding spent by NIAD to fund HSV research. That funding could then be spent funding a way to use HSV to cure cancer, or for research to cure other deadly disease. HSV has become very common. The revenue from such a cure would bemassive since it’s estimated that somewhere around 90% of the population has HSV-1 and 20% has HSV-2. Much of the population that has genital herpes doesn’t know that they have it. That’s pretty dangerous since they are unknowingly spreading it. A cure would inspire people to come forward to be tested, generating revenue and slowing the spread.

The cure for this virus may also cure the rest of the Herpes family of viruses. That means even more funding freed up and revenue to put funding toward deadly disease or even regenerative therapeutics. CMV has also become just as common has HSV but with more of an economic burden. CMV has devastating effects on what would otherwise be normal children. I know that NAID is targeting more funding towards research for CMV and that could also mean a cure for HSV as well. Yet, since it is now known that genital HSV is now a pathway for HIV and HPV, it is just as dangerous as those viruses. Genital HSV also has devastating effects on the people who have it. Most of them suffer in silence due to the stigma. A cure would mean, no stigma to worry about and restoring lives back to normal.

I know I have mentioned revenue and funding several times. It’s just that putting forth more funding for deadlier disease used to make logical sense. However, with the sheer number of HSV infections and revenue generated from a cure, there would be more funding available for deadlier disease. The reason for mentioning regenerative therapy is to restore the lives of those born with the complications of CMV and other degenerative disease. It just seems more logical to me to work smarter and not harder. I sure wish that I had the time to find out just what all those numbers are. I’m betting that a cure for HSV will make the world a better place much faster.

Thank you for your time and please consider my point of view.

Send to any organization you find that will look at this at an economic standpoint. You can also send to the following links listed below.

President , Governor, Senator, Congressman,

It's almost a new year and it's time for an ACTION OF THE MONTH. It's time we start contacting those who could support HSV research. I ask that you contact your local Member of Congress, State Governor, U.S. Senators of your state and President Obama. There should be about at the least 5 people to contact. Member of Congress work for United States House of Representatives. Senators work for the United States Senate. Governors work for the State you live in. I believe the more people from different states that contact there representatives provide a greater chance of being heard. Each person sending a letter to the President, provides a greater chance of getting the attention of The White House.

Find your local Member of Congress (You must put the last 4 digits of your zip code):

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Find your State Governor:

http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Governors.shtml

Find your local U.S. Senators:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contac...nators_cfm.cfm

White House - President Barack Obama:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

For example, I will be emailing these persons from the State of California:

Congressman Buck McKeon - http://mckeon.house.gov/contact.shtml

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger - http://gov.ca.gov/interact

U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer - http://boxer.senate.gov/en/contact/policycomments.cfm

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein - http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/i...tactUs.EmailMe

and U.S. President Barack Obama - http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

Copy and paste any of the above templates if like and send to any of the following.

Also, you can write in for your idea for a story to CNN at the link below:

http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form11b.html?6

Also, you can ask Dr. Manny on Fox News questions that may or may not be aired on his show by using the following link:

drmanny@foxnews.com

The National Science Foundation

4201 Wilson Boulevard

Arlington, Virgina 22230

(703)-292-5111 http://www.nsf.gov/

Center for Disease Control and Prevention

cdcinfo@cdc.gov

Annie’s Mailbox

Hi, there is a relationship forum that appears in most all newspapers - small and LARGE across the US. It's called Annie's Mailbox. It replaced Ann Landers. Put your story in there and tell how it has affected your life. Ask a question so they will have a reason to respond. Don't forget to put in the email our top researchers or even things that are proven to attack viruses but haven't been pursued by the drug companies.

Again, there is strength in numbers. The more people who write in, the greater the chance one of us makes the paper along with more awareness and opportunities for drug companies, donors and others to see how BIG this is in the lives of Americans.

Please write in. The email is:

anniesmailbox@comcast.net

Example letter posted by helpiamconfused:

Hi, after a long marriage which ended with my ex cheating on me, I have met the most wonderful lady that I care deeply for. She has recently found out that she has HSV2 and has had it for a long time. I, on the other hand, test negative for it. I will admit that I am freaked out about contracting a potentially incurable disease and also not knowing if this relationship is a "forever one." I have been really torn with staying with her or not. We talk about the relationship and herpes on a daily basis and how it is affecting our current relationship and future - if one.

I'd like to let your readers know that herpes, and the fear of herpes is powerful. Although as many as 50 million Americans have it, I don't want to be one of the one's.

My question to you is, how do I know what to do in a sitiuation like this?

Lastly, I encourage your reading audience to find it in your heart to donate to Herpes Research. The researchers say a cure is out there but they lack funding!

Thanks,

December 8, 2010

No Excuses!

I made it simple and easy for everyone. As I read through each of your responses on the herpes cure research forum, I see most of you have good ways to reaching out to the media. I designed this thread for everyone to simply scroll down the list and submit their ideas for supporting the herpes cure researches. Many people don’t have time to read all the posts, so here is a quick way to let those individuals help raise awareness as well. If you don’t find your link then please feel free to add it. I do not take full credit for the original templates listed in this thread.
Oprah Winfrey Magazine
Dear 'O' Staff-
I am writing this letter to draw your attention to a significant health news story about a condition which affects me personally.
Currently, ground-breaking research is occurring in one of the most common (and overlooked) diseases in the world - Herpes. This virus affects ONE OUT OF FIVE Americans, and is the most common STD in the United States. While not life threatening, it does often have substantial complications for pregnant women and their babies, and studies have shown that it increases one's susceptibility to acquiring the HIV virus. In addition, it is one of the most stigmatized conditions in our culture. The truth is that this condition affects many, many Americans. Most people are ill informed and unaware of just how pervasive this condition is in our society.
In the past several years, both CNN and NPR have run stories on this topic. However, new information has come to light in the form of additional grants and new collaborations between laboratories at Duke University and the University of Florida.
At Duke University, Dr. Brian Cullen has made tremendous strides in researching this virus and believes that a cure is possible. Dr. David Bloom at the University of Florida is also on the cutting edge of researching how this virus affects and inhabits human cells. Both labs acknowledge that funding for the research of this disease is the biggest obstacle to further understanding it. This research has enormous implications for patients, health organizations, and pharmaceutical companies around the world.
Given the prevalence of this condition, this information appears extremely newsworthy. Thank you for your consideration of this topic.
Please copy and paste this template and submit to it Oprah through the following link. https://www.oprah.com/ownshow/plug_form.html?plug_id=505

Kenneth Dart, billionaire, now owns 7 pct of Peregrine. He is also on the board of the Dart Foundation that grants money for research, etc… Ask Dart to advance Peregrine enough money to test Bavi for HSV.
Mr. Dart:

Mr. Kenneth Dart, I see where you now own 7pct of Peregrine Pharmaceuticals. They have gone on record indicating their drug Bavi may be a cure for HSV. This disease afflicts hundreds of millions worldwide and has been linked to Alzheimers. Further, HSV increases one's chances of acquiring HIV anad makes people with HIV more contagious.
Myself and many others have reached out to Peregrine and asked them to specifically test for HSV. We've even asked them to accept donations to fund a clinical trial. We have made no progress towards this aim. Accordingly, I ask that you strongly consider:
1. Granting Peregrine money to test for HSV, and
2. Persuade them to take on this test for the betterment of many millions of sufferers.
Thanks so much for any assistance you can provide!
Please copy and paste this template and submit to it Dart through the following link.http://www.dartfoundation.org/web/dartfweb.nsf/pages/contactus.html

Men’s Magazine
Hey peeps! I also sent an email to Men's Health magazine. Here's the address email for suggested story topics:
To Whom It May Concern,
As a longtime reader of Men’s Health, I am writing this letter to draw your attention to a significant health news story.
Currently, ground-breaking research is occurring in one of the most common (and overlooked) diseases in the world - Herpes.
This virus affects ONE OUT OF FIVE Americans, and is the most common STD in the United States. While not life threatening, it does often have substantial complications for pregnant women and their babies, and studies have shown that it increases one's susceptibility to acquiring the HIV virus. In addition, it is one of the most stigmatized conditions in our culture. The truth is that this condition affects many men. Many men (and women) are ill informed and unaware of just how pervasive this condition is in our society.
In the past several years, both CNN and NPR have run stories on this topic. However, new information has come to light in the form of additional grants and new collaborations between laboratories at Duke University and the University of Florida.
At Duke University, Dr. Brian Cullen has made tremendous strides in researching this virus and believes that a cure is possible.
Dr. David Bloom at the University of Florida is also on the cutting edge of researching how this virus affects and inhabits human cells. Both labs acknowledge that funding for the research of this disease is the biggest obstacle to further understanding it. This research has enormous implications for patients, health organizations, and pharmaceutical companies around the world.
Given the prevalence of this condition, this information is extremely newsworthy for men. Thank you for your consideration of this topic.
Please copy and paste this template and submit to it Men’s Magazine through the following link.
mhletters@rodale.com

News Week
There is a huge focus on better treatments for HIV/AIDS and this is a great idea. Much less attention, if any, is given to a disease that affects MANY more people worldwide - HERPES. Notwithstanding it's painful effects, blisters, sores, stigma, etc. It has been proven that is leads to HIV/AIDS, yes it increases one's chances of acquiring HIV/AIDS threefold. Further, it has been linked to Alzheimer’s as well. Herpes simplex virus-1 increases one’s chance by 15 times for being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s when genetic factors are present.
In the last 30 years, since Valtrex, there hasn't been a single drug to hit the market to prevent or treat Herpes sufferers. Several researchers believe they may be able to cure the disease (Bryan Cullen at Duke University and David Bloom at University of Florida); however, they don't have sufficient funding to adequately pursue.
Genital herpes affects up to 20 percent of the population over 18 and Facial Herpes affects as much as 90 percent of the people over age 50.
This needs some attention and I hope you will do some research and place a story in your paper about this.
Thanks for your time and consideration!
Please copy and paste this template and submit to it News Week through the following link.
http://www.newsweek.com/company/contact-us.html

NIH/NIAID's (This template is to help increase funding)
I'd like to inform you about the Herpes Simplex Virus, HSV-1 (Cold Sores, Genital HSV-1 and Ocular Herpes) & HSV-2 (Genital Herpes which can become Oral Herpes). In an article by Webmd.com, they state that those infected with herpes are more at risk of contracting HIV.[1]
HSV-1 affects 90% of people by age 50 nationwide[2] HSV-2 affects approximately 45 million people[3]. Here's a cure and vaccine option to show interest in. Imagine the amount of people with and without health care insurance who would be freed of getting suppressing herpes medicine monthly. This would free up hospitals greatly and allow doctors to focus on other medical issues. Herpes plays a role in the spread of HIV. Herpes can make people more susceptible to HIV infection[4]&[5]. No longer shall those affected by this virus accept suppression as the norm.
90% of people infected show no signs or symptoms of being infected. After initial infection, the virus moves in the trigeminal ganglion (HSV-1) and cranial nerves near the spine (HSV-2), where it's resides as a life-long, latent virus. Though many don't experience signs or symptoms including outbreaks[6], they're able to pass the virus to others. If you have sex, even kiss someone with no cold sores present[7] (HSV-1 spreads at times when there are no visible symptoms due to what is known as herpes viral shedding) you have a chance of getting herpes. Condoms are not 100% effective against herpes. The herpes sore or lesion is not always located in an area covered by a condom[8]. Many people who get tested may believe herpes testing is included, it is not. Herpes is not included in the routine Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) testing.[9]
HSV-1 commonly affects the mouth and eye region. HSV-1 is now being linked to Alzheimer’s. A sad debilitating disease many of us at one point in our life encounter. Either we become ill by this disease or a loved one becomes victim to it.
A team discovered that the HSV1 DNA is located very specifically in amyloid plaques: 90% of plaques in Alzheimer's disease sufferers' brains contain HSV1 DNA, and most of the viral DNA is located within amyloid plaques. The team had previously shown that HSV1 infection of nerve-type cells induces deposition of the main component, beta amyloid, of amyloid plaques. Together, these findings strongly implicate HSV1 as a major factor in the formation of amyloid deposits and plaques, abnormalities thought by many in the field to be major contributors to Alzheimer's disease.[13]
Now, let’s look into the Alzheimer’s statistics and how everyone is being affected by this virus. Directly or indirectly all of us are affected because millions of tax dollars are being used to treat our older population who become victim to this disease.
Key Facts on Alzheimer’s disease
5.3 million people have Alzheimer's
172 billion dollars in annual costs
7th leading cause of death
10.9 million unpaid caregivers
Source: Alzheimer's Association 2010 Alzheimer's disease Facts and Figures
Alzheimer's disease mortality is on the rise
With a rapidly aging baby boomer population, Alzheimer's will continue to impact more lives. From 2000-2006, Alzheimer's disease deaths increased 46.1 percent, while other selected causes of death decreased. Strategic investments in other diseases have resulted in declines in deaths, and we need to see the same type of investment for Alzheimer's.[14]
Just when you thought there could be nothing more detrimentally than herpes being linked to Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately it’s well known that herpes does affect the eyes. This is what is referred to as Ocular Herpes (HSV). Now, let’s look into ocular herpes statistics. Once again we are all directly affected and healthcare cost is continuously rising.
Approximately 20,000 new cases of ocular HSV occur in the United States annually, and more than 28,000 reactivations occur in the United States annually. It is one of the most frequent causes of blindness in the United States with 500,000 people experiencing HSV-related ocular disease.[15]
International
HSV infection is ubiquitous, with an estimated one third of the population worldwide suffering from recurrent infections.[15]
Mortality/Morbidity
HSV keratitis is the most frequent cause of corneal blindness in the United States and is a leading indication for corneal transplantation. HSV keratitis is also the most common cause of infectious blindness in the Western world.[15]
Age
Most HSV eye disease occurs in adults, and it occurs many years after the primary infection. However, herpetic keratitis in children almost always involves the corneal epithelium and is marked by a disproportionate risk of binocular disease, a high recurrence rate, and amblyopia.[15]
Life-Long Inhibition - Professor David Bloom at University of Florida has created a way to cut the virus’ RNA to prevent reactivation. By designing special enzymes called “hammerhead ribozymes”, he's able to target a so-called “late” gene that releases its protein product relatively late after infection. With late genes, partial corruption of the genetic material is sufficient to shut down virus production, as opposed to “early” genes, which would require total inactivation to hinder the process.[10] When administered by a single injection after the initial infection, the therapy provides life-long inhibition of recurring outbreaks.
Cure - Professor Bryan Cullen at Duke University is figuring out how to switch the virus from latency to its active stage. After it's active and a cold sore appears, it's treatable with the drug acyclovir, which kills replicating HSV-1. Cullen believes that a drug could be developed to block the microRNA that suppress HSV-1 into latency; once it's active, acyclovir can be used to destroy the virus permanently.[11]
Vaccine - Professor David Knipe of Harvard Medical School studies the molecular and cellular biology of herpes simplex virus productive and latent infection and the mechanism of the host immune response to HSV. They've also have been studying a candidate genital herpes vaccine that they've developed, and are constructing and studying HSV recombinants as vaccine vectors for AIDS, SARS, West Nile and anthrax vaccines.[12]

Sincerely,

__________________________________________________ _________________________________

References
Ref: [1] All About Genital Herpes: If You Have or Are at Risk for HIV
http://www.webmd.com/genital-herpes/guide/risk-hiv
Ref: [2] How common is oral herpes?
http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes...alherpes.cfm#2
Ref: [3] Genital Herpes - CDC Fact Sheet (How common is genital herpes?)
http://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/STDFact-herpes.htm#common
Ref: [4] Genital Herpes - CDC Fact Sheet (What are the complications of genital herpes?)
http://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/STDFac...#complications
Ref: [5] Scientists Learn Why Even Treated Genital Herpes Sores Boost the Risk of HIV Infection
http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsr.../herpesHIV.htm
Ref: [6] How common are cold sores?
http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/cold...are_cold_sores
Ref: [7] How is the cold sore virus spread?
http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/cold...e_virus_spread
Ref: [8] Steps to greatly reduce the risk of infection
http://www.globalherbalsupplies.com/...to_reduce_risk
Ref: [9] Herpes is NOT included in routine STD screening.
http://centralcalihfriends.org/?ShowPage=1
Ref: [10] University of Florida - Potential new herpes therapy studied
http://news.ufl.edu/2009/02/03/herpes-2/
Ref: [11] Duke University - A Cure for Cold Sores? Times Article
http://www.time.com/time/health/arti...819739,00.html
Ref: [12] Harvard Medical School - Knipe Lab
http://knipelab.med.harvard.edu/default.html
Ref: [13] University of Manchester (2008, December 7). Cold Sore Virus Linked To Alzheimer's Disease: New Treatment, Or Even Vaccine Possible
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081207134109.htm
Ref: [14] Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures. Alzheimer’s Association.
http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_facts_figures.asp
Ref: [15] Keratitis, Herpes Simplex. eMedicine from WebMD
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1194268-overview

Please copy and paste this template and submit it to all of the following links. Three sources are for NIH/NAIHD.
woodgs@od.nih.gov
copr1@palladianpartners.com
smrb@mail.nih.gov
askDPCPSI@od.nih.gov

Here is template to use and send to any organization that will look at this from an economic standpoint. Such as our president, governors, congressmen, and etc….
Please take a moment to read. I have a point of view regarding research funding regarding finding a cure for and the good of HSV. According to research reported in Biomed Central’s journal BMC Infectious Diseases, the economic burden of genital HSV infection and resulting complications has been estimated to be greater than $1 billion annually in the United States alone. I found that information on Biovex’s website. If you are not aware, Biovex has created an engineered version of HSV-1 that does not infect the patient, but fights hard cancer tumors with some success. They have also created another engineered version of HSV-2 as a preventative vaccine and possibly therapeutic. That vaccine is currently in a phase I trial. But like so many vaccines before, it could fail. Another therapeutic vaccine has shown promising results from a phase I trial. This vaccine was created by Antigenetics. They are now looking for a partner to help fund taking the vaccine through a phase II trial. But, that vaccine could fail as well. There is another drug in the last stages of a phase II trial that is a hopeful treatment. It’s not expected that there will be a better treatment option available until 2014 or 2015, that’s if there are no failures. Then maybe a cure around 2010. That’s $20 billion of economic burden at the current rate. HSV has been studied for over 50 years and only one basic antiviral has come out. Yes, more than one drug is on the market, but they all have the same base antiviral.
The cure for this virus would be the better alternative. To free up $1 billion annually just for the cost of treatment is an enormous leap. It would free up current funding spent by NIAD to fund HSV research. That funding could then be spent funding a way to use HSV to cure cancer, or for research to cure other deadly disease. HSV has become very common. The revenue from such a cure would bemassive since it’s estimated that somewhere around 90% of the population has HSV-1 and 20% has HSV-2. Much of the population that has genital herpes doesn’t know that they have it. That’s pretty dangerous since they are unknowingly spreading it. A cure would inspire people to come forward to be tested, generating revenue and slowing the spread.
The cure for this virus may also cure the rest of the Herpes family of viruses. That means even more funding freed up and revenue to put funding toward deadly disease or even regenerative therapeutics. CMV has also become just as common has HSV but with more of an economic burden. CMV has devastating effects on what would otherwise be normal children. I know that NAID is targeting more funding towards research for CMV and that could also mean a cure for HSV as well. Yet, since it is now known that genital HSV is now a pathway for HIV and HPV, it is just as dangerous as those viruses. Genital HSV also has devastating effects on the people who have it. Most of them suffer in silence due to the stigma. A cure would mean, no stigma to worry about and restoring lives back to normal.
I know I have mentioned revenue and funding several times. It’s just that putting forth more funding for deadlier disease used to make logical sense. However, with the sheer number of HSV infections and revenue generated from a cure, there would be more funding available for deadlier disease. The reason for mentioning regenerative therapy is to restore the lives of those born with the complications of CMV and other degenerative disease. It just seems more logical to me to work smarter and not harder. I sure wish that I had the time to find out just what all those numbers are. I’m betting that a cure for HSV will make the world a better place much faster.
Thank you for your time and please consider my point of view.
Send to any organization you find that will look at this at an economic standpoint. You can also send to the following links listed below.
President , Governor, Senator, Congressman,
It's almost a new year and it's time for an ACTION OF THE MONTH. It's time we start contacting those who could support HSV research. I ask that you contact your local Member of Congress, State Governor, U.S. Senators of your state and President Obama. There should be about at the least 5 people to contact. Member of Congress work for United States House of Representatives. Senators work for the United States Senate. Governors work for the State you live in. I believe the more people from different states that contact there representatives provide a greater chance of being heard. Each person sending a letter to the President, provides a greater chance of getting the attention of The White House.
Find your local Member of Congress (You must put the last 4 digits of your zip code):
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
Find your State Governor:
http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Governors.shtml
Find your local U.S. Senators:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contac...nators_cfm.cfm
White House - President Barack Obama:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

For example, I will be emailing these persons from the State of California:
Congressman Buck McKeon - http://mckeon.house.gov/contact.shtml
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger - http://gov.ca.gov/interact
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer - http://boxer.senate.gov/en/contact/policycomments.cfm
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein - http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/i...tactUs.EmailMe
and U.S. President Barack Obama - http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

Copy and paste any of the above templates if like and send to any of the following.
Also, you can write in for your idea for a story to CNN at the link below:
http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form11b.html?6

Also, you can ask Dr. Manny on Fox News questions that may or may not be aired on his show by using the following link:
drmanny@foxnews.com

The National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, Virgina 22230

(703)-292-5111 http://www.nsf.gov/
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
cdcinfo@cdc.gov

Annie’s Mailbox
Hi, there is a relationship forum that appears in most all newspapers - small and LARGE across the US. It's called Annie's Mailbox. It replaced Ann Landers. Put your story in there and tell how it has affected your life. Ask a question so they will have a reason to respond. Don't forget to put in the email our top researchers or even things that are proven to attack viruses but haven't been pursued by the drug companies.
Again, there is strength in numbers. The more people who write in, the greater the chance one of us makes the paper along with more awareness and opportunities for drug companies, donors and others to see how BIG this is in the lives of Americans.
Please write in. The email is:
anniesmailbox@comcast.net

Example letter posted by helpiamconfused:

Hi, after a long marriage which ended with my ex cheating on me, I have met the most wonderful lady that I care deeply for. She has recently found out that she has HSV2 and has had it for a long time. I, on the other hand, test negative for it. I will admit that I am freaked out about contracting a potentially incurable disease and also not knowing if this relationship is a "forever one." I have been really torn with staying with her or not. We talk about the relationship and herpes on a daily basis and how it is affecting our current relationship and future - if one.

I'd like to let your readers know that herpes, and the fear of herpes is powerful. Although as many as 50 million Americans have it, I don't want to be one of the one's.

My question to you is, how do I know what to do in a sitiuation like this?

Lastly, I encourage your reading audience to find it in your heart to donate to Herpes Research. The researchers say a cure is out there but they lack funding!

Thanks,

It's all here people... Take some time to help yourself and others!

December 10, 2010

Wow, it will be something to do on the weekend!!! Thanks for putting it all together

December 13, 2010

Well done, guys!!!! Keep the wheels in motion.

December 13, 2010

I took a couple hours out of a day and found all these great ideas we have. Then I put them together making it easy for everyone. Tweak them and add whatever additional information you would like. Also, if anyone can think of another place or template we should add, feel free to do so. It's a simple as copy, paste, and click submit. Together a change is possible. Let's keep the pressure on getting recognition to finding/supporting a cure. A cure is possible with the financial support.

December 13, 2010

Minor error on contacting your senator

The link provided in the forum, but here is the correct link to contact your senator. Please people, let's keep the pressure on them. Everyone needs to put in the effort to supporting the cure. From donating, sending letters, educating people, and signing the petitions. A cure will come if we keep up the hard work.

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

December 13, 2010

I sent in a plee. The list is amazing thank you for caring.

I would also like to thank anyone with the strength to complete just one of these tasks and bookmark this page.

December 13, 2010

Got mine done.

December 29, 2010

Contacting your senator!

If you would like to contact your senator please read this forum. All the information you need is right here. Please let's keep the letters and emails going! Don't stop!

January 2, 2011

MS, great stuff here... just wrote Men's Health and Newsweek... Others please pile on!!!!!!!!!

It takes less than a minute if you have your email application open!

January 9, 2011

Emailed the governor of my fine State and asked her to please push for this since there are many big pharma research companies in my area.

Come on folks, push the petitions, send in letters and donate if you can afford to! We are our own best advocates!

Do one thing a week, if nothing else. We have to keep this in forefront and on the front page.

Please help!

January 10, 2011

A good link that contains a list of all US Congressmen and Governors. USE IT!!!!!!! Use these darn templates and email these people!

http://www.conservativeusa.org/mega-cong.htm

January 10, 2011

We have to keep spreading awareness. This topic needs to be or remain in the mainstreams. It's the only way any changes will ever come. Keep encouraging everyone you know personally to sign the petitions. I'm sure we all have family members and close friends who support you on this matter. Please encourage them to sign the petitions and it possible donate. Perfect time of year to donate. Tax time and most of us can afford donating at this time of year. Any amount will help. TOGETHER A CURE WILL COME. IT'S WITH ALL OUR DETERMINATION A CHANGE WILL COME.

January 16, 2011

Spending a little bit of my spare time sending in letters. The templates are right here. Copy, paste, and submit. Simple as 1, 2, 3. People it's a new year and we have to keep pushing for this topic to be discussed. The more awareness means the more people will support a cure.

January 16, 2011

If anyone else has some good ideas on whom to contact please add it in this forum.

January 16, 2011

Just sent out emails (again) to the NIH, and thought I'd add the letter I've sent to the White House a few times.

Feel free to use it or tweak it as you see fit. I mean, I know the President has a lot going on, but the

good thing is, EVERY piece of mail has to be read and categorized for security reasons. So at least someone sees it.

Keep up the good work, guys!! I'm convinced that in our lifetimes, we'll see major changes in the treatment of HSV

if not a cure.

PRESIDENTIAL TEMPLATE LETTER

The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500.

Dear President Obama,

As an active supporter of both your campaign and your presidency, I ask you to please increase research funding to promote a cure and better treatments for HSV 1 and 2.

Herpes is a national and worldwide epidemic. It increases one's chances of acquiring HIV, causes blindness, has been linked to Alzheimer's, and certainly causes depression, anxiety, and untold suffering among the afflicted and their loved ones. Additionally, herpes makes individuals who have AIDS more infectious.

The CDC estimates that 48 million people in the United States alone suffer from genital herpes. It is estimated that there are 500,000 new cases each year in the United States alone. Various estimates indicate the direct costs of treating genital herpes alone to be over 1 billion dollars per annum. This does not take into account productivity losses and the costs to treat resulting depression, etc. Additionally, this also does not reflect the economic burden associated with HSV-1 or oral/facial herpes which affects as much as 50% of the United States population and as much as 90% of the US population 50 years of age and older. Since the late 1970s, the number of Americans with genital herpes infection has increased 30%.

In fact, the National Institute of Health (NIH) asserts the following: “Our estimates, based on the best available data on medical expenditure, indicate that GH is a major public health problem with a substantial economic burden.”

Dr. Bloom at the University of Florida and Dr. Cullen at Duke University are both involved in cutting edge research, and they believe a cure is possible. Funding is the last major obstacle to finding a cure. The United States, the greatest and most innovative country on earth, can be the nation which finally cures this pervasive virus! Just imagine the difference it will make in people’s lives and the research implications it could have for other viruses! Yes we can!

As a taxpayer and proud citizen of the United States, I respectfully ask that you do everything within your powers to increase research funding for this terrible disease.

Sincerely Yours,

April 4, 2011

Here's my reply from California U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein

Thank you for contacting me to express your support for increased funding for research on herpes simplex virus (HSV). I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.

As you may know, at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) supports HSV research. Researchers supported by NIAID have produced new therapies and uncovered key genetic information that may one day lead to a cure for HSV. I have consistently supported increased funding at the National Institutes of Health because I know how vital these research programs are.

You may be interested to know that the President's Fiscal Year 2012 budget requests $4.9 billion for NIAID. This is an increase of over $400 million from Fiscal Year 2010 funding levels. Please know that I will keep your comments in mind as I continue to advocate for increased funding for biomedical research.

Again, thank you for contacting me. If you should have any further comments or questions, please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C. office. Best regards.

Sincerely yours,

Dianne Feinstein

United States Senator

April 4, 2011

Oh, fantastic! I didn't realize there was already a thread like this! If the O.P. still posts on here, feel free to add info I gathered in the "Take Action" thread, which includes Facebook, Twitter, donation information, and petition information: http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/messageforum/showthread.php?36420-The-quot-Take-Action-quot-Thread!-List-of-All-the-Ways-You-Can-Get-Involved

April 4, 2011

Here's my reply from California U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein

Thank you for contacting me to express your support for increased funding for research on herpes simplex virus (HSV). I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.

As you may know, at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) supports HSV research. Researchers supported by NIAID have produced new therapies and uncovered key genetic information that may one day lead to a cure for HSV. I have consistently supported increased funding at the National Institutes of Health because I know how vital these research programs are.

You may be interested to know that the President's Fiscal Year 2012 budget requests $4.9 billion for NIAID. This is an increase of over $400 million from Fiscal Year 2010 funding levels. Please know that I will keep your comments in mind as I continue to advocate for increased funding for biomedical research.

Again, thank you for contacting me. If you should have any further comments or questions, please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C. office. Best regards.

Sincerely yours,

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator

That's a pretty good and well thought out response. Good to hear it. Keep it up all.

November 15, 2011

I'm bringing this back to the top! Let's send another round of emails. Templates are here for you. Just copy, paste, and submit. Add a personal story if you like. Together is the only way our voices will be heard. My voice alone can only echo so far and it's up to the remaining H community to carry my echo. PLEASE, LET'S MAKE THIS A GROUP EFFORT!!!!!!!!!!!

November 15, 2011

For sure! Have I missed something though? Which email address do we need to send to? Sorry not having such a great day and I have been quite 'ditzy' for most of it :-)

November 15, 2011

For sure! Have I missed something though? Which email address do we need to send to? Sorry not having such a great day and I have been quite 'ditzy' for most of it

Please ignore. I re-read the original post and have now submitted my emails. Please everyone can you do the same? It didn't take me more than 10 minutes to do this!

November 16, 2011

Bumping this one up again!! Everyone it will only take a few minutes of your time to send these emails!! Please lets support eachother!

Increase funding & awareness! All the templates and email addresses you need!!!!

I made it simple and easy for everyone. As I read through each of your responses on the herpes cure research forum, I see most of you have good ways to reaching out to the media. I designed this thread for everyone to simply scroll down the list and submit their ideas for supporting the herpes cure researches. Many people don’t have time to read all the posts, so here is a quick way to let those individuals help raise awareness as well. If you don’t find your link then please feel free to add it. I do not take full credit for the original templates listed in this thread.

Oprah Winfrey Magazine

Dear 'O' Staff-

I am writing this letter to draw your attention to a significant health news story about a condition which affects me personally.

Currently, ground-breaking research is occurring in one of the most common (and overlooked) diseases in the world - Herpes. This virus affects ONE OUT OF FIVE Americans, and is the most common STD in the United States. While not life threatening, it does often have substantial complications for pregnant women and their babies, and studies have shown that it increases one's susceptibility to acquiring the HIV virus. In addition, it is one of the most stigmatized conditions in our culture. The truth is that this condition affects many, many Americans. Most people are ill informed and unaware of just how pervasive this condition is in our society.

In the past several years, both CNN and NPR have run stories on this topic. However, new information has come to light in the form of additional grants and new collaborations between laboratories at Duke University and the University of Florida.

At Duke University, Dr. Brian Cullen has made tremendous strides in researching this virus and believes that a cure is possible. Dr. David Bloom at the University of Florida is also on the cutting edge of researching how this virus affects and inhabits human cells. Both labs acknowledge that funding for the research of this disease is the biggest obstacle to further understanding it. This research has enormous implications for patients, health organizations, and pharmaceutical companies around the world.

Given the prevalence of this condition, this information appears extremely newsworthy. Thank you for your consideration of this topic.

Please copy and paste this template and submit to it Oprah through the following link. https://www.oprah.com/ownshow/plug_form.html?plug_id=505

Kenneth Dart, billionaire, now owns 7 pct of Peregrine. He is also on the board of the Dart Foundation that grants money for research, etc… Ask Dart to advance Peregrine enough money to test Bavi for HSV.

Mr. Dart:

Mr. Kenneth Dart, I see where you now own 7pct of Peregrine Pharmaceuticals. They have gone on record indicating their drug Bavi may be a cure for HSV. This disease afflicts hundreds of millions worldwide and has been linked to Alzheimers. Further, HSV increases one's chances of acquiring HIV anad makes people with HIV more contagious.

Myself and many others have reached out to Peregrine and asked them to specifically test for HSV. We've even asked them to accept donations to fund a clinical trial. We have made no progress towards this aim. Accordingly, I ask that you strongly consider:

1. Granting Peregrine money to test for HSV, and

2. Persuade them to take on this test for the betterment of many millions of sufferers.

Thanks so much for any assistance you can provide!

Please copy and paste this template and submit to it Dart through the following link.http://www.dartfoundation.org/web/dartfweb.nsf/pages/contactus.html

Men’s Magazine

Hey peeps! I also sent an email to Men's Health magazine. Here's the address email for suggested story topics:

To Whom It May Concern,

As a longtime reader of Men’s Health, I am writing this letter to draw your attention to a significant health news story.

Currently, ground-breaking research is occurring in one of the most common (and overlooked) diseases in the world - Herpes.

This virus affects ONE OUT OF FIVE Americans, and is the most common STD in the United States. While not life threatening, it does often have substantial complications for pregnant women and their babies, and studies have shown that it increases one's susceptibility to acquiring the HIV virus. In addition, it is one of the most stigmatized conditions in our culture. The truth is that this condition affects many men. Many men (and women) are ill informed and unaware of just how pervasive this condition is in our society.

In the past several years, both CNN and NPR have run stories on this topic. However, new information has come to light in the form of additional grants and new collaborations between laboratories at Duke University and the University of Florida.

At Duke University, Dr. Brian Cullen has made tremendous strides in researching this virus and believes that a cure is possible.

Dr. David Bloom at the University of Florida is also on the cutting edge of researching how this virus affects and inhabits human cells. Both labs acknowledge that funding for the research of this disease is the biggest obstacle to further understanding it. This research has enormous implications for patients, health organizations, and pharmaceutical companies around the world.

Given the prevalence of this condition, this information is extremely newsworthy for men. Thank you for your consideration of this topic.

Please copy and paste this template and submit to it Men’s Magazine through the following link.

mhletters@rodale.com

News Week

There is a huge focus on better treatments for HIV/AIDS and this is a great idea. Much less attention, if any, is given to a disease that affects MANY more people worldwide - HERPES. Notwithstanding it's painful effects, blisters, sores, stigma, etc. It has been proven that is leads to HIV/AIDS, yes it increases one's chances of acquiring HIV/AIDS threefold. Further, it has been linked to Alzheimer’s as well. Herpes simplex virus-1 increases one’s chance by 15 times for being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s when genetic factors are present.

In the last 30 years, since Valtrex, there hasn't been a single drug to hit the market to prevent or treat Herpes sufferers. Several researchers believe they may be able to cure the disease (Bryan Cullen at Duke University and David Bloom at University of Florida); however, they don't have sufficient funding to adequately pursue.

Genital herpes affects up to 20 percent of the population over 18 and Facial Herpes affects as much as 90 percent of the people over age 50.

This needs some attention and I hope you will do some research and place a story in your paper about this.

Thanks for your time and consideration!

Please copy and paste this template and submit to it News Week through the following link.

http://www.newsweek.com/company/contact-us.html

NIH/NIAID's (This template is to help increase funding)

I'd like to inform you about the Herpes Simplex Virus, HSV-1 (Cold Sores, Genital HSV-1 and Ocular Herpes) & HSV-2 (Genital Herpes which can become Oral Herpes). In an article by Webmd.com, they state that those infected with herpes are more at risk of contracting HIV.[1]

HSV-1 affects 90% of people by age 50 nationwide[2] HSV-2 affects approximately 45 million people[3]. Here's a cure and vaccine option to show interest in. Imagine the amount of people with and without health care insurance who would be freed of getting suppressing herpes medicine monthly. This would free up hospitals greatly and allow doctors to focus on other medical issues. Herpes plays a role in the spread of HIV. Herpes can make people more susceptible to HIV infection[4]&[5]. No longer shall those affected by this virus accept suppression as the norm.

90% of people infected show no signs or symptoms of being infected. After initial infection, the virus moves in the trigeminal ganglion (HSV-1) and cranial nerves near the spine (HSV-2), where it's resides as a life-long, latent virus. Though many don't experience signs or symptoms including outbreaks[6], they're able to pass the virus to others. If you have sex, even kiss someone with no cold sores present[7] (HSV-1 spreads at times when there are no visible symptoms due to what is known as herpes viral shedding) you have a chance of getting herpes. Condoms are not 100% effective against herpes. The herpes sore or lesion is not always located in an area covered by a condom[8]. Many people who get tested may believe herpes testing is included, it is not. Herpes is not included in the routine Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) testing.[9]

HSV-1 commonly affects the mouth and eye region. HSV-1 is now being linked to Alzheimer’s. A sad debilitating disease many of us at one point in our life encounter. Either we become ill by this disease or a loved one becomes victim to it.

A team discovered that the HSV1 DNA is located very specifically in amyloid plaques: 90% of plaques in Alzheimer's disease sufferers' brains contain HSV1 DNA, and most of the viral DNA is located within amyloid plaques. The team had previously shown that HSV1 infection of nerve-type cells induces deposition of the main component, beta amyloid, of amyloid plaques. Together, these findings strongly implicate HSV1 as a major factor in the formation of amyloid deposits and plaques, abnormalities thought by many in the field to be major contributors to Alzheimer's disease.[13]

Now, let’s look into the Alzheimer’s statistics and how everyone is being affected by this virus. Directly or indirectly all of us are affected because millions of tax dollars are being used to treat our older population who become victim to this disease.

Key Facts on Alzheimer’s disease

5.3 million people have Alzheimer's

172 billion dollars in annual costs

7th leading cause of death

10.9 million unpaid caregivers

Source: Alzheimer's Association 2010 Alzheimer's disease Facts and Figures

Alzheimer's disease mortality is on the rise

With a rapidly aging baby boomer population, Alzheimer's will continue to impact more lives. From 2000-2006, Alzheimer's disease deaths increased 46.1 percent, while other selected causes of death decreased. Strategic investments in other diseases have resulted in declines in deaths, and we need to see the same type of investment for Alzheimer's.[14]

Just when you thought there could be nothing more detrimentally than herpes being linked to Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately it’s well known that herpes does affect the eyes. This is what is referred to as Ocular Herpes (HSV). Now, let’s look into ocular herpes statistics. Once again we are all directly affected and healthcare cost is continuously rising.

Approximately 20,000 new cases of ocular HSV occur in the United States annually, and more than 28,000 reactivations occur in the United States annually. It is one of the most frequent causes of blindness in the United States with 500,000 people experiencing HSV-related ocular disease.[15]

International

HSV infection is ubiquitous, with an estimated one third of the population worldwide suffering from recurrent infections.[15]

Mortality/Morbidity

HSV keratitis is the most frequent cause of corneal blindness in the United States and is a leading indication for corneal transplantation. HSV keratitis is also the most common cause of infectious blindness in the Western world.[15]

Age

Most HSV eye disease occurs in adults, and it occurs many years after the primary infection. However, herpetic keratitis in children almost always involves the corneal epithelium and is marked by a disproportionate risk of binocular disease, a high recurrence rate, and amblyopia.[15]

Life-Long Inhibition - Professor David Bloom at University of Florida has created a way to cut the virus’ RNA to prevent reactivation. By designing special enzymes called “hammerhead ribozymes”, he's able to target a so-called “late” gene that releases its protein product relatively late after infection. With late genes, partial corruption of the genetic material is sufficient to shut down virus production, as opposed to “early” genes, which would require total inactivation to hinder the process.[10] When administered by a single injection after the initial infection, the therapy provides life-long inhibition of recurring outbreaks.

Cure - Professor Bryan Cullen at Duke University is figuring out how to switch the virus from latency to its active stage. After it's active and a cold sore appears, it's treatable with the drug acyclovir, which kills replicating HSV-1. Cullen believes that a drug could be developed to block the microRNA that suppress HSV-1 into latency; once it's active, acyclovir can be used to destroy the virus permanently.[11]

Vaccine - Professor David Knipe of Harvard Medical School studies the molecular and cellular biology of herpes simplex virus productive and latent infection and the mechanism of the host immune response to HSV. They've also have been studying a candidate genital herpes vaccine that they've developed, and are constructing and studying HSV recombinants as vaccine vectors for AIDS, SARS, West Nile and anthrax vaccines.[12]

Sincerely,

__________________________________________________ _________________________________

References

Ref: [1] All About Genital Herpes: If You Have or Are at Risk for HIV

http://www.webmd.com/genital-herpes/guide/risk-hiv

Ref: [2] How common is oral herpes?

http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes...alherpes.cfm#2

Ref: [3] Genital Herpes - CDC Fact Sheet (How common is genital herpes?)

http://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/STDFact-herpes.htm#common

Ref: [4] Genital Herpes - CDC Fact Sheet (What are the complications of genital herpes?)

http://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/STDFac...#complications

Ref: [5] Scientists Learn Why Even Treated Genital Herpes Sores Boost the Risk of HIV Infection

http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsr.../herpesHIV.htm

Ref: [6] How common are cold sores?

http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/cold...are_cold_sores

Ref: [7] How is the cold sore virus spread?

http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/cold...e_virus_spread

Ref: [8] Steps to greatly reduce the risk of infection

http://www.globalherbalsupplies.com/...to_reduce_risk

Ref: [9] Herpes is NOT included in routine STD screening.

http://centralcalihfriends.org/?ShowPage=1

Ref: [10] University of Florida - Potential new herpes therapy studied

http://news.ufl.edu/2009/02/03/herpes-2/

Ref: [11] Duke University - A Cure for Cold Sores? Times Article

http://www.time.com/time/health/arti...819739,00.html

Ref: [12] Harvard Medical School - Knipe Lab

http://knipelab.med.harvard.edu/default.html

Ref: [13] University of Manchester (2008, December 7). Cold Sore Virus Linked To Alzheimer's Disease: New Treatment, Or Even Vaccine Possible

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081207134109.htm

Ref: [14] Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures. Alzheimer’s Association.

http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_facts_figures.asp

Ref: [15] Keratitis, Herpes Simplex. eMedicine from WebMD

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1194268-overview

Please copy and paste this template and submit it to all of the following links. Three sources are for NIH/NAIHD.

woodgs@od.nih.gov

copr1@palladianpartners.com

smrb@mail.nih.gov

askDPCPSI@od.nih.gov

Here is template to use and send to any organization that will look at this from an economic standpoint. Such as our president, governors, congressmen, and etc….

Please take a moment to read. I have a point of view regarding research funding regarding finding a cure for and the good of HSV. According to research reported in Biomed Central’s journal BMC Infectious Diseases, the economic burden of genital HSV infection and resulting complications has been estimated to be greater than $1 billion annually in the United States alone. I found that information on Biovex’s website. If you are not aware, Biovex has created an engineered version of HSV-1 that does not infect the patient, but fights hard cancer tumors with some success. They have also created another engineered version of HSV-2 as a preventative vaccine and possibly therapeutic. That vaccine is currently in a phase I trial. But like so many vaccines before, it could fail. Another therapeutic vaccine has shown promising results from a phase I trial. This vaccine was created by Antigenetics. They are now looking for a partner to help fund taking the vaccine through a phase II trial. But, that vaccine could fail as well. There is another drug in the last stages of a phase II trial that is a hopeful treatment. It’s not expected that there will be a better treatment option available until 2014 or 2015, that’s if there are no failures. Then maybe a cure around 2010. That’s $20 billion of economic burden at the current rate. HSV has been studied for over 50 years and only one basic antiviral has come out. Yes, more than one drug is on the market, but they all have the same base antiviral.

The cure for this virus would be the better alternative. To free up $1 billion annually just for the cost of treatment is an enormous leap. It would free up current funding spent by NIAD to fund HSV research. That funding could then be spent funding a way to use HSV to cure cancer, or for research to cure other deadly disease. HSV has become very common. The revenue from such a cure would bemassive since it’s estimated that somewhere around 90% of the population has HSV-1 and 20% has HSV-2. Much of the population that has genital herpes doesn’t know that they have it. That’s pretty dangerous since they are unknowingly spreading it. A cure would inspire people to come forward to be tested, generating revenue and slowing the spread.

The cure for this virus may also cure the rest of the Herpes family of viruses. That means even more funding freed up and revenue to put funding toward deadly disease or even regenerative therapeutics. CMV has also become just as common has HSV but with more of an economic burden. CMV has devastating effects on what would otherwise be normal children. I know that NAID is targeting more funding towards research for CMV and that could also mean a cure for HSV as well. Yet, since it is now known that genital HSV is now a pathway for HIV and HPV, it is just as dangerous as those viruses. Genital HSV also has devastating effects on the people who have it. Most of them suffer in silence due to the stigma. A cure would mean, no stigma to worry about and restoring lives back to normal.

I know I have mentioned revenue and funding several times. It’s just that putting forth more funding for deadlier disease used to make logical sense. However, with the sheer number of HSV infections and revenue generated from a cure, there would be more funding available for deadlier disease. The reason for mentioning regenerative therapy is to restore the lives of those born with the complications of CMV and other degenerative disease. It just seems more logical to me to work smarter and not harder. I sure wish that I had the time to find out just what all those numbers are. I’m betting that a cure for HSV will make the world a better place much faster.

Thank you for your time and please consider my point of view.

Send to any organization you find that will look at this at an economic standpoint. You can also send to the following links listed below.

President , Governor, Senator, Congressman,

It's almost a new year and it's time for an ACTION OF THE MONTH. It's time we start contacting those who could support HSV research. I ask that you contact your local Member of Congress, State Governor, U.S. Senators of your state and President Obama. There should be about at the least 5 people to contact. Member of Congress work for United States House of Representatives. Senators work for the United States Senate. Governors work for the State you live in. I believe the more people from different states that contact there representatives provide a greater chance of being heard. Each person sending a letter to the President, provides a greater chance of getting the attention of The White House.

Find your local Member of Congress (You must put the last 4 digits of your zip code):

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Find your State Governor:

http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Governors.shtml

Find your local U.S. Senators:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contac...nators_cfm.cfm

White House - President Barack Obama:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

For example, I will be emailing these persons from the State of California:

Congressman Buck McKeon - http://mckeon.house.gov/contact.shtml

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger - http://gov.ca.gov/interact

U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer - http://boxer.senate.gov/en/contact/policycomments.cfm

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein - http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/i...tactUs.EmailMe

and U.S. President Barack Obama - http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

Copy and paste any of the above templates if like and send to any of the following.

Also, you can write in for your idea for a story to CNN at the link below:

http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form11b.html?6

Also, you can ask Dr. Manny on Fox News questions that may or may not be aired on his show by using the following link:

drmanny@foxnews.com

The National Science Foundation

4201 Wilson Boulevard

Arlington, Virgina 22230

(703)-292-5111 http://www.nsf.gov/

Center for Disease Control and Prevention

cdcinfo@cdc.gov

Annie’s Mailbox

Hi, there is a relationship forum that appears in most all newspapers - small and LARGE across the US. It's called Annie's Mailbox. It replaced Ann Landers. Put your story in there and tell how it has affected your life. Ask a question so they will have a reason to respond. Don't forget to put in the email our top researchers or even things that are proven to attack viruses but haven't been pursued by the drug companies.

Again, there is strength in numbers. The more people who write in, the greater the chance one of us makes the paper along with more awareness and opportunities for drug companies, donors and others to see how BIG this is in the lives of Americans.

Please write in. The email is:

anniesmailbox@comcast.net

Example letter posted by helpiamconfused:

Hi, after a long marriage which ended with my ex cheating on me, I have met the most wonderful lady that I care deeply for. She has recently found out that she has HSV2 and has had it for a long time. I, on the other hand, test negative for it. I will admit that I am freaked out about contracting a potentially incurable disease and also not knowing if this relationship is a "forever one." I have been really torn with staying with her or not. We talk about the relationship and herpes on a daily basis and how it is affecting our current relationship and future - if one.

I'd like to let your readers know that herpes, and the fear of herpes is powerful. Although as many as 50 million Americans have it, I don't want to be one of the one's.

My question to you is, how do I know what to do in a sitiuation like this?

Lastly, I encourage your reading audience to find it in your heart to donate to Herpes Research. The researchers say a cure is out there but they lack funding!

Thanks,

November 23, 2011

New email link for newsweek. thedailybeastcheatsheet@thedailybeast.com

November 23, 2011

Sent another round of emails! Thanks to all those who take a few minutes to hours of their life to bring an end to this epidemic. It's people like us who are leaders with vision that will give the millions infected a second chance in life. WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND OUR ACTIONS WILL BE REWARDED, EITHER HERE ON EARTH OR THE STREETS OF GOLD. Strange to say, we were brought together for a reason. I hate the circumstances but it was meant to be.

Increase funding & awareness! All the templates and email addresses you need!!!!

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