I am 22 years old and a senior at James Madison University. Two years ago, a good friend of mine was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma and had to undergo very aggressive chemotherapy and radiation in order to go into remission. He was 21 at the time of diagnosis, and his treatments lasted well through his 22nd year. When he finished treatments, it was March of 2010.

However, his health problems did not end then; even today he has a 30 percent ejection fraction—meaning that his heart only operates at 50 percent efficiency. This is a dramatic improvement from where he was in the summer of 2010, when he had an 11 percent ejection fraction and had to be hospitalized for a month. Obviously at that time, he was over the age of 22, not enrolled as a full-time student, and had serious pre-existing conditions. The Affordable Care Act allowed him to remain covered by his parents' insurance and keep his life.

As a friend, I couldn't be happier that the act was signed in time to help Chris. As a citizen, I hope that it will remain in place to help every other American who has to face such a difficult burden.

I am not in a financial position to make a donation but please know that you have my support.

—Lindsey, Virginia

No one has to tell me how the Affordable Care Act benefits me and many others.

Two years ago I had no insurance coverage because I had prostate cancer in 2007—despite the fact that the cancer had been successfully removed with no indications of recurrence. I had been denied insurance due to this pre-existing condition, and had to live in fear that a major (or even relatively minor) illness could virtually bankrupt me. Before the Affordable Care Act was passed, I could have gotten limited health insurance from the state of California for over $1,100 per month, but I could not afford this. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, I have had health insurance since late 2010, and for a cost I can afford (less than $500 per month). I haven't needed it yet for anything more than a doctor's visit, but I have peace of mind knowing that if something bad happens, I can get the medical care I need.

Thanks to President Obama and the Democratic senators and representatives who gave me a chance to get affordable health insurance again! Decent health insurance should not be just a perk for the rich.

Best regards,

Ed, California

Dear President Obama,

I am a special education teacher working with the most challenging students in my school district. I spend my professional life fighting for my students and against the odds they face for failure. You are a part of our community and here is what I have to say to you and your family:

Thank you for your work around insuring millions of Americans.

Thank you for the payroll tax deduction—it does make a difference. Please keep fighting for all us middle-class Americans.

Thank Michelle for her hard work on the food pyramid, as it reflects how we should be working towards health and how we inspire our students to improve their health.

Thank you for demonstrating what American family values are really about—you and Michelle are role models in my mind.

Thank you for caring about women's health.

Thank you for taking a stand and saying that you represent most of America rather than the top 1 percent.

Thank you for keeping your lovely daughters in school and out of the limelight—it is what they deserve.

Thank you for participating in the basketball bracket—I always come in last in my pool and I know it is too late to learn from you this year.

Thank you for the last four years of hope, not fear and hate. This is the gift I would like to bestow on my child.

Lastly, you are most welcome to come to my house for dinner if you have the time.

—Jake, Oregon

P.S. Hug your kids, as kids grow up fast and deserve every bit of love you can give them.

Thanks to policies created during President Obama’s administration, I have had the ability to start my own business, and it looks like my family will realize a much greater future than we ever thought possible. My wife and I are both Army veterans and would like to thank Barack Obama and his administration for making the American dream finally become a reality for us. Our business is just getting started, so if it flourishes or if it fails, I will know that I had the opportunity to compete. This would have never happened if the GOP was in the White House.

I look forward to four more years with President Obama.

—Shawn, New York

Last year, on my little sister’s 20th birthday, Barack Obama kicked off his 2012 reelection campaign at Sony Studios in Culver City—three blocks away from the apartment my sister and I shared.

On a whim, we sent an email, begging for the chance to buy a ticket. Wish granted. We jumped up and down and started a dance party in the living room to celebrate.

On the big day, we suddenly found ourselves front row at Obama’s event.

We sang along to Jason Mraz, filmed and photographed every second via phone, and, finally, saw the President. Our President. The one we rallied for, worked for, volunteered for. The one we threw parties for, and baked red, white, and blue cupcakes for on Election Night. The President that had us counting down the seconds till the closing of the West Coast polls, as if it were New Year’s Eve.

This was our dude.

And we were so in awe, so starstruck, that when he came by to shake our hands, I accidentally held on to him a bit too long, until he had to pull his hand out from mine. Not embarassing at all.

As our President started to move past the line, my little sister screamed out, “Mr. President, it’s my birthday!”

Barack Obama stopped, turned, put his hand on my sister’s shoulder, and with a smile and an air of sheer confidence said “Well, happy birthday to you.”

That’s about the point the little sister started frantically trying to call our mom through tears. We vowed to remember that moment forever. We had just met our hero, and it was perfect.

—Erin, California

Dear Mr. President and Staff,

I’m writing today to tell you about an act of kindness from one of your student supporters in Michigan. Her name is Grace and she’s a student at the University of Michigan. Grace and I were excited to hear that you would be coming to speak at Michigan on January 27th. However, when we went to get in line to get tickets, the line was long (to say the least) and we both realized that it would be nearly impossible to get a ticket. Instead of going home and going about her day, she decided that she wanted to do something to support the president and the people supporting him in his campaign. She decided to go to any coffee shop around the ticket office and get travel cases of coffee and pass out cups of coffee to all the supporters in line. From about 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Grace, a friend of ours, and I passed out coffee to at least 250 people waiting in line. Everyone in line was very appreciative of her efforts and Grace was thoroughly satisfied to help make a difference and do a good deed for the day.

Thank you so much for your consideration and for all the work you’ve all done for the country. I know there are many like myself who have enjoyed having a president whom we can believe in. You have all restored faith for me in the political system. I look forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely,

Nicholas

Dear Mr. President,

I voted for you in the last election, and I plan to do that again.

Just so you know, I am going to be forever in your debt regarding the "Making Homes Affordable" programs that you have made available to homeowners. Yesterday, I learned that I qualify for a free home-refinance, and it is lowering my home payment by nearly $400 a month. I am so happy and so grateful to you for thinking of such a wonderful program for us.

I don't know how to repay you for such a wonderful thing except to vote for you. You deserve it!

Thank you,

Meg, California