Make change with your powerful words. Send an email.

Let decision makers know why stillbirth prevention is important to you. Encourage them to support stillbirth prevention efforts.

We’ve created sample wording you can use in an email to decision makers. It’s also important to share your personal story about why stillbirth prevention matters to you. Feel free to use the template wording below, and then find contact information for your Representatives and Senators. Many members of Congress have web contact forms where you can place your note and contact information as a quick and easy way to reach them.

Sample Email

Dear {Insert Name},

My name is {insert name} and I am writing to ask {insert your member of Congress’ name} to support an important piece of stillbirth prevention legislation. The bipartisan Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education (SHINE) for Autumn Act aims to prevent stillbirth through enhanced data collection, research, education, and awareness. It would be the first comprehensive, federal-state partnership to reduce stillbirth rates in the United States.

This legislation is important to me because … {Insert Your Story Here}

According to the CDC, every year 21,000 families in the U.S. experience the tragedy of having a baby born still. In the U.S. the annual number of stillbirths far exceeds the top five leading causes of deaths among children aged 0-14 years combined, including unintentional injuries, congenital anomalies, pre-term birth, homicide, SIDS, and heart disease. Racial disparities persist, with 1 out of every 101 Black pregnancies ending in stillbirth. Native Hawaiian, Other Pacific Islanders and American Indian or Alaska Native pregnancies are also at greater risk of experiencing a stillbirth. This legislation recognize that stillbirth (defined as the loss of a baby at 20 weeks or greater during pregnancy), and the disparity in those impacted by stillbirth, requires further research, support, and prevention programming.

Many stillbirths can be prevented! As a constituent, I respectfully ask you to please support the SHINE for Autumn Act. Please sign on as a cosponsor today.

With Gratitude,

{Insert Your Name Here}

Would you like to ask your decision maker for a meeting? We’d love to attend with you and can help you prepare. Please reach out to us at [email protected] in advance of your request!