Population Screening, Consumer Advocacy, Action Campaigns, Policy Change

Opportunities for public health change, action, and policy change for early detection and prevention of Hereditary Hemochromatosis.

This is truly a dream come true!

We can save lives! Let’s do this for all the people who are living with this and being misdiagnosed.

Let’s do this for early detection so others don’t have to go through what a lot of us have.

Let’s make a change together!

Submission requirements:

We have the opportunity to submit one idea at a time. We can submit as many times as we want. This is not just about testing the population; these Geneticists have been working on Hereditary Hemochromatosis for 25 years. We all know this is not a rare disorder, it is severely under-diagnosed, and they believe the same.

We can submit ideas/articles for anything related to Hereditary Hemochromatosis, medicines that should be given freely, anything that HH has caused; Diabetes, Liver complications, Cancer, etc.

Here are the submission guidelines:

• All submissions will be reviewed by HH The Bloody Truth.
• Once reviewed and approved by our staff, we will have it pre-reviewed with their liaison.
• All pieces will be submitted under HH The Bloody Truth and your name. (The more an organization submits, the better chance we have of being heard)
• You must focus on one argument, that will be laid out in three paragraphs.
• This does not mean all of us cannot submit something about the same argument.
• You can submit as many pieces as you want, it must relate to Hereditary Hemochromatosis.
• Tell their readers your viewpoint in the first paragraph.
• They need to know why they should care in the first two paragraphs.
• You can tie your piece to a news hook, if possible, a new bill, policy, approval of a new drug, or submission of a new drug. Any news related content that will help your argument.
• Do not be afraid to be controversial and express strong opinions.
• Always use relevant facts or an example that connects to the issue that helps illustrate your point.
• Look for opportunities to have differing opinions on news, studies, health care policies.
• Have a clear call to action
• This is not a rule, just one way of approaching it in your paragraphs. Paragraph one: 1^st point, evidence & conclusion, Paragraph two: 2^nd point, evidence, and conclusion. Paragraph three: 1st point, evidence & conclusion. Remember this may not work for your piece.

Writing Style:

• The ideal length is 700 to 1000 words. *(Except for Population Screening 500-700 & Share your Story 1,000 or less)
• Be clear and concise and use language that resonates with a lay audience.
• Keep sentences and paragraphs short, but don’t be afraid to use your voice in the first person. “I strongly encourage”, “I strongly believe.”
• Be true to your personal writing style, it’s best to be yourself, but use an active voice.
• In a simple, declarative (“policy X is bad; here’s why”) , this may be straightforward. In a more complex commentary, the 3rd point may expand on the bigger picture—historical context, global/geographic picture, mythological underpinnings, etc.—or may offer an explanation for a mystery that underpins the argument– eg., why a bad policy continues, in spite of its failures.

Questions to ask yourself when writing:

• Why should readers trust you? Are you authoritative on your topic? Are you accountable to what you say you know? Can you provide evidence of your expertise? You don’t need to have a famous name, a big title, or a fancy degree – but you do need to be well positioned to speak on your topic, and able to convey it.
• Can you back up what you say? Is your argument based on evidence – solid material and logical building blocks that will be acknowledged as credible even by those who may disagree with your interpretation?
• Is your argument different, particularly original in the way it is delivered, or is it backed up by substantially new information or reporting? What is compelling about its contribution to the conversation?
• Why should everyone else – including those of us who are not experts in your area – care?
• What’s the difference between being “right” and being “effective”? Does your language tend to write off the people who would disagree with you, or do you employ empathy and respect in the pursuit of changing minds?
• How will your ideas and arguments contribute to the conversation, and be helpful to your audience? Do you see your knowledge and experience in terms of it’s potential value to others?

What happens if my Article or Story gets PUBLISHED?

• Please know your opinions will be public, they will be associated with HH The Bloody Truth, and yourself.
• We may be called on by other media outlets to discuss your opinion. *The Media will be handled by HH The Bloody Truth*
• If you feel this is a strength for you, please reach out and we can have a zoom call to discuss.
• If your piece gets published it may be edited for length and clarity by the Geneticists and will be public with your name.
• You also have the opportunity to remain anonymous and we can submit it under The Bloody Truth, with your written authorization.
• We will keep you up to date with any news we get about your piece.
• You can also publish a copy here first and ask for feedback from our community.