Reston, VA - In a first among professional associations, SNM has launched a "virtual march" to elevate awareness among policymakers on Capitol Hill about the value of molecular imaging and to ensure that patients have access to the safest and most promising healthcare innovations, both today and in the future. The virtual march, www.MIMarchforHealth.org, is a unique way for the molecular imaging community--including physicians, technologists, researchers, patients and concerned others--to show support for molecular imaging and nuclear medicine issues.

Molecular imaging is a key element of today's medical practice, allowing physicians to diagnose cancer, neurological conditions and cardiovascular events early on-before disease spreads. "Molecular imaging and nuclear medicine procedures are playing an increasingly valuable role in healthcare," said SNM president Robert W. Atcher, Ph.D., M.B.A., "and thousands of patients will benefit if that value is better recognized and understood. Now, regardless of where you live or work, you can march on Capitol Hill by going online to www.MIMarchforHealth.org."

To join the march, visitors should go online to www.MIMarchforHealth.org. From this site, visitors can create an avatar or "virtual me." For the avatar, visitors can select features such as hair color and clothing to reflect their individual profession and personality. Once an avatar has been created, visitors then submit a letter to their senators and representative in Congress to make their voice heard. Finally, visitors can check back on the march through interactive maps of both Capitol Hill and the United States. Visitors can see who else is marching as well as locate themselves on the maps. The march is fully interactive and can be linked to social networking tools such as Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter.
"The MIMarchforHealth is an exciting and important innovation that will greatly enhance SNM's already effective advocacy efforts," added Atcher. "SNM continues to work to ensure that molecular imaging procedures, such as PET and PET/CT scans, are reimbursed at the highest levels. We also work with the U.S. Department of Energy and other agencies to ensure appropriate funding for nuclear medicine research-all of which are essential for making sure that access to molecular imaging technologies is available to patients today and in the future."

SNM is promoting the virtual march by running online ads on three of the top inside-the-beltway public policy sites, including The Politico, National Journal and Congressional Quarterly.

About SNM
SNM is an international scientific and medical organization dedicated to raising public awareness about what molecular imaging is and how it can help provide patients with the best health care possible. SNM members specialize in molecular imaging, a vital element of today's medical practice that adds an additional dimension to diagnosis, changing the way common and devastating diseases are understood and treated.

SNM's more than 17,000 members set the standard for molecular imaging and nuclear medicine practice by creating guidelines, sharing information through journals and meetings and leading advocacy on key issues that affect molecular imaging and therapy research and practice. For more information, visit www.snm.org.

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