Guest guest Posted March 2, 2001 Report Share Posted March 2, 2001 Hi all, Note that if they do not make a decision in two weeks on stem cell research, it research will halt research in progress. That may kill the hopes of students working on projects right now. Researchers can not work without pay and this is the time of year that grad students are looking for grant money to pay for next years tuition. Therefore, if the decision is not made, it may stop a top researcher from doing this reearch and change to a new field. Also Bush is raising the funding, but has not said much about neurological research. He has mentioed cancer research and AIDS. AIDS already gets a huge portion (about 100 times as much per patient of Parkinson's) of the research money. Cancer gets about 10 times as much money per patient as Parkinson's per patient and heart research is about the same level as cancer. Take care, Bill and Charlotte Reuters Health Summary NIH budget cheered; stem cell decision awaited By Todd Zwillich BETHESDA, Md., Feb 28 (Reuters Health) - Leading scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) welcomed Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy to their campus today to celebrate a record increase in the institutes' funding contained in President Bush's new budget proposal. appeared at NIH on the same day that the president's budget is to be officially unveiled to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The budget asks for nearly $2.8 billion in increased funding for medical research at NIH, the largest single-year increase ever requested for the agency. " There has been extraordinary support (from Congress) in the last few years. The wind remains in our sails, " said Dr. Klausner, the director of the National Cancer Institute. While the proposed $2.8 billion dollar increase is a record for NIH, the figure falls short of the rate of budget increases the agency is supposed to get under a 5-year plan started in 1998. told reporters that " simple arithmetic " means that researchers can expect even more money to come from Congress in the near future. The proposal to double the NIH budget between 1998 and 2003 called for a 15% increase in NIH spending every year for 5 years. The $2.8 billion increase suggested by Bush represents a 13.6% increase. " There's going to have to be a $4.1 billion increase in the next fiscal year " to reach the 5-year funding goal, said. " Perhaps Congress will see the administration's funding request this year and up it, " Dr. Francis , director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, told Reuters Health. Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Penn.), chairman of the appropriations sub-committee in charge of NIH funding, said through a spokesman that he was " pleased to see the $2.8 billion increase, but in terms of going above and beyond that this year, the simple answer is that we don't know if that is possible. " An aide to Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), a ranking member of that committee, added that " If there is an opportunity to increase (the NIH budget), Harkin would be supportive. " Still, it remains unclear whether NIH will be able to spend the money as freely as many researchers would like. The Bush administration is still considering whether or not to allow federal funding of research on human embryonic stem cells. Those cells are thought by many scientists to have great potential in medical research because of their ability to form many different kinds of human tissue. But the research faces strong opposition because the cells originate from embryos. Research using the cells could have an enormous impact on the development of treatments for a host of human ailments, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and diabetes, according to Dr. Fred Levine, a microbiologist and diabetes researcher at the University of California at San Diego. " If you don't fund (stem cell) research, you're narrowing the number of avenues we can pursue. It would be a major setback for several types of research, " he told Reuters Health in an interview. Levine added that a denial of federal funding would slow, but not stop, embryonic stem cell research in the United States. Some stem cell studies are funded by private organizations, including the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, which spends $1.2 million per year on such research, according to spokesperson Randi Hoffman. The administration has not yet made a decision on funding embryonic cell research, said. But scientists are eager for a decision since their NIH grant applications are due in two weeks. " I would tell (scientists) to put in the applications " even while the administration considers whether or not to fund them, he said. © 2001, Reuters Health Information Services Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2001 Report Share Posted March 2, 2001 , Do you happen know an email or mailing address to write to the White House to support stem cell research. If so, I would be interesting in doing that. Otherwise, I suppose one could just write the President in care of the White House? I agree that stem cells research appears to fundamental to almost all of the promising research that offers hope of regeneration of damage neurological systems. Best regards, Jerry Cash NIH funding ??? Hi all, Note that if they do not make a decision in two weeks on stem cell research, it research will halt research in progress. That may kill the hopes of students working on projects right now. Researchers can not work without pay and this is the time of year that grad students are looking for grant money to pay for next years tuition. Therefore, if the decision is not made, it may stop a top researcher from doing this reearch and change to a new field. Also Bush is raising the funding, but has not said much about neurological research. He has mentioed cancer research and AIDS. AIDS already gets a huge portion (about 100 times as much per patient of Parkinson's) of the research money. Cancer gets about 10 times as much money per patient as Parkinson's per patient and heart research is about the same level as cancer. Take care, Bill and Charlotte Reuters Health Summary NIH budget cheered; stem cell decision awaited By Todd Zwillich BETHESDA, Md., Feb 28 (Reuters Health) - Leading scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) welcomed Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy to their campus today to celebrate a record increase in the institutes' funding contained in President Bush's new budget proposal. appeared at NIH on the same day that the president's budget is to be officially unveiled to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The budget asks for nearly $2.8 billion in increased funding for medical research at NIH, the largest single-year increase ever requested for the agency. " There has been extraordinary support (from Congress) in the last few years. The wind remains in our sails, " said Dr. Klausner, the director of the National Cancer Institute. While the proposed $2.8 billion dollar increase is a record for NIH, the figure falls short of the rate of budget increases the agency is supposed to get under a 5-year plan started in 1998. told reporters that " simple arithmetic " means that researchers can expect even more money to come from Congress in the near future. The proposal to double the NIH budget between 1998 and 2003 called for a 15% increase in NIH spending every year for 5 years. The $2.8 billion increase suggested by Bush represents a 13.6% increase. " There's going to have to be a $4.1 billion increase in the next fiscal year " to reach the 5-year funding goal, said. " Perhaps Congress will see the administration's funding request this year and up it, " Dr. Francis , director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, told Reuters Health. Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Penn.), chairman of the appropriations sub-committee in charge of NIH funding, said through a spokesman that he was " pleased to see the $2.8 billion increase, but in terms of going above and beyond that this year, the simple answer is that we don't know if that is possible. " An aide to Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), a ranking member of that committee, added that " If there is an opportunity to increase (the NIH budget), Harkin would be supportive. " Still, it remains unclear whether NIH will be able to spend the money as freely as many researchers would like. The Bush administration is still considering whether or not to allow federal funding of research on human embryonic stem cells. Those cells are thought by many scientists to have great potential in medical research because of their ability to form many different kinds of human tissue. But the research faces strong opposition because the cells originate from embryos. Research using the cells could have an enormous impact on the development of treatments for a host of human ailments, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and diabetes, according to Dr. Fred Levine, a microbiologist and diabetes researcher at the University of California at San Diego. " If you don't fund (stem cell) research, you're narrowing the number of avenues we can pursue. It would be a major setback for several types of research, " he told Reuters Health in an interview. Levine added that a denial of federal funding would slow, but not stop, embryonic stem cell research in the United States. Some stem cell studies are funded by private organizations, including the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, which spends $1.2 million per year on such research, according to spokesperson Randi Hoffman. The administration has not yet made a decision on funding embryonic cell research, said. But scientists are eager for a decision since their NIH grant applications are due in two weeks. " I would tell (scientists) to put in the applications " even while the administration considers whether or not to fund them, he said. © 2001, Reuters Health Information Services Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2001 Report Share Posted March 2, 2001 , Do you happen know an email or mailing address to write to the White House to support stem cell research. If so, I would be interesting in doing that. Otherwise, I suppose one could just write the President in care of the White House? I agree that stem cells research appears to fundamental to almost all of the promising research that offers hope of regeneration of damage neurological systems. Best regards, Jerry Cash NIH funding ??? Hi all, Note that if they do not make a decision in two weeks on stem cell research, it research will halt research in progress. That may kill the hopes of students working on projects right now. Researchers can not work without pay and this is the time of year that grad students are looking for grant money to pay for next years tuition. Therefore, if the decision is not made, it may stop a top researcher from doing this reearch and change to a new field. Also Bush is raising the funding, but has not said much about neurological research. He has mentioed cancer research and AIDS. AIDS already gets a huge portion (about 100 times as much per patient of Parkinson's) of the research money. Cancer gets about 10 times as much money per patient as Parkinson's per patient and heart research is about the same level as cancer. Take care, Bill and Charlotte Reuters Health Summary NIH budget cheered; stem cell decision awaited By Todd Zwillich BETHESDA, Md., Feb 28 (Reuters Health) - Leading scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) welcomed Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy to their campus today to celebrate a record increase in the institutes' funding contained in President Bush's new budget proposal. appeared at NIH on the same day that the president's budget is to be officially unveiled to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The budget asks for nearly $2.8 billion in increased funding for medical research at NIH, the largest single-year increase ever requested for the agency. " There has been extraordinary support (from Congress) in the last few years. The wind remains in our sails, " said Dr. Klausner, the director of the National Cancer Institute. While the proposed $2.8 billion dollar increase is a record for NIH, the figure falls short of the rate of budget increases the agency is supposed to get under a 5-year plan started in 1998. told reporters that " simple arithmetic " means that researchers can expect even more money to come from Congress in the near future. The proposal to double the NIH budget between 1998 and 2003 called for a 15% increase in NIH spending every year for 5 years. The $2.8 billion increase suggested by Bush represents a 13.6% increase. " There's going to have to be a $4.1 billion increase in the next fiscal year " to reach the 5-year funding goal, said. " Perhaps Congress will see the administration's funding request this year and up it, " Dr. Francis , director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, told Reuters Health. Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Penn.), chairman of the appropriations sub-committee in charge of NIH funding, said through a spokesman that he was " pleased to see the $2.8 billion increase, but in terms of going above and beyond that this year, the simple answer is that we don't know if that is possible. " An aide to Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), a ranking member of that committee, added that " If there is an opportunity to increase (the NIH budget), Harkin would be supportive. " Still, it remains unclear whether NIH will be able to spend the money as freely as many researchers would like. The Bush administration is still considering whether or not to allow federal funding of research on human embryonic stem cells. Those cells are thought by many scientists to have great potential in medical research because of their ability to form many different kinds of human tissue. But the research faces strong opposition because the cells originate from embryos. Research using the cells could have an enormous impact on the development of treatments for a host of human ailments, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and diabetes, according to Dr. Fred Levine, a microbiologist and diabetes researcher at the University of California at San Diego. " If you don't fund (stem cell) research, you're narrowing the number of avenues we can pursue. It would be a major setback for several types of research, " he told Reuters Health in an interview. Levine added that a denial of federal funding would slow, but not stop, embryonic stem cell research in the United States. Some stem cell studies are funded by private organizations, including the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, which spends $1.2 million per year on such research, according to spokesperson Randi Hoffman. The administration has not yet made a decision on funding embryonic cell research, said. But scientists are eager for a decision since their NIH grant applications are due in two weeks. " I would tell (scientists) to put in the applications " even while the administration considers whether or not to fund them, he said. © 2001, Reuters Health Information Services Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2001 Report Share Posted March 2, 2001 Bill, Thanks for the email addresses. That was quick! I'll send my email to the President right now. Do your suppose I'll end up on some FBI watch list if I email the President? Thanks again. Jerry NIH funding ??? > > Hi all, > > Note that if they do not make a decision in two weeks on stem cell research, > it > research will halt research in progress. That may kill the hopes of > students > working on projects right now. Researchers can not work without pay and > this is > the time of year that grad students are looking for grant money to pay for > next > years tuition. Therefore, if the decision is not made, it may stop a top > researcher from doing this reearch and change to a new field. > > Also Bush is raising the funding, but has not said much about neurological > research. He has mentioed cancer research and AIDS. AIDS already gets a > huge > portion (about 100 times as much per patient of Parkinson's) of the research > money. Cancer gets about 10 times as much money per patient as Parkinson's > per > patient and heart research is about the same level as cancer. > > Take care, Bill and Charlotte > > Reuters Health Summary > > NIH budget cheered; stem cell decision awaited > > By Todd Zwillich > > BETHESDA, Md., Feb 28 (Reuters Health) - Leading > scientists > at > the National Institutes of Health (NIH) welcomed Health > and > > Human Services Secretary Tommy to their campus > today to celebrate a record increase in the institutes' > funding > contained in President Bush's new budget proposal. > > appeared at NIH on the same day that the > president's > budget is to be officially unveiled to lawmakers on > Capitol > Hill. The > budget asks for nearly $2.8 billion in increased > funding > for > medical research at NIH, the largest single-year > increase > ever > requested for the agency. > > " There has been extraordinary support (from Congress) > in > the > last few years. The wind remains in our sails, " said > Dr. > > Klausner, the director of the National Cancer > Institute. > > While the proposed $2.8 billion dollar increase is a > record > for NIH, > the figure falls short of the rate of budget increases > the > agency is > supposed to get under a 5-year plan started in 1998. > > told reporters that " simple arithmetic " means that > researchers > can expect even more money to come from Congress in the > near > future. > > The proposal to double the NIH budget between 1998 and > 2003 > > called for a 15% increase in NIH spending every year > for 5 > years. > The $2.8 billion increase suggested by Bush represents > a > 13.6% > increase. > > " There's going to have to be a $4.1 billion increase in > the > next > fiscal year " to reach the 5-year funding goal, > said. > > " Perhaps Congress will see the administration's funding > request > this year and up it, " Dr. Francis , director of > the > National > Human Genome Research Institute, told Reuters Health. > > Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Penn.), chairman of the > appropriations > sub-committee in charge of NIH funding, said through a > spokesman that he was " pleased to see the $2.8 billion > increase, > but in terms of going above and beyond that this year, > the > simple > answer is that we don't know if that is possible. " > > An aide to Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), a ranking member > of > that > committee, added that " If there is an opportunity to > increase (the > NIH budget), Harkin would be supportive. " > > Still, it remains unclear whether NIH will be able to > spend > the > money as freely as many researchers would like. The > Bush > administration is still considering whether or not to > allow > federal > funding of research on human embryonic stem cells. > > Those cells are thought by many scientists to have > great > potential > in medical research because of their ability to form > many > different > kinds of human tissue. But the research faces strong > opposition > because the cells originate from embryos. > > Research using the cells could have an enormous impact > on > the > development of treatments for a host of human ailments, > including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and > diabetes, according to Dr. Fred Levine, a > microbiologist > and > diabetes researcher at the University of California at > San > Diego. > > " If you don't fund (stem cell) research, you're > narrowing > the > number of avenues we can pursue. It would be a major > setback > for several types of research, " he told Reuters Health > in > an > interview. > > Levine added that a denial of federal funding would > slow, > but not > stop, embryonic stem cell research in the United > States. > Some > stem cell studies are funded by private organizations, > including > the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, which spends $1.2 > million > per > year on such research, according to spokesperson Randi > Hoffman. > > The administration has not yet made a decision on > funding > embryonic cell research, said. But scientists > are > eager for a decision since their NIH grant applications > are > due in > two weeks. > > " I would tell (scientists) to put in the applications " > even > while the > administration considers whether or not to fund them, > he > said. > > © 2001, Reuters Health Information > Services > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2001 Report Share Posted March 2, 2001 Bill, Thanks for the email addresses. That was quick! I'll send my email to the President right now. Do your suppose I'll end up on some FBI watch list if I email the President? Thanks again. Jerry NIH funding ??? > > Hi all, > > Note that if they do not make a decision in two weeks on stem cell research, > it > research will halt research in progress. That may kill the hopes of > students > working on projects right now. Researchers can not work without pay and > this is > the time of year that grad students are looking for grant money to pay for > next > years tuition. Therefore, if the decision is not made, it may stop a top > researcher from doing this reearch and change to a new field. > > Also Bush is raising the funding, but has not said much about neurological > research. He has mentioed cancer research and AIDS. AIDS already gets a > huge > portion (about 100 times as much per patient of Parkinson's) of the research > money. Cancer gets about 10 times as much money per patient as Parkinson's > per > patient and heart research is about the same level as cancer. > > Take care, Bill and Charlotte > > Reuters Health Summary > > NIH budget cheered; stem cell decision awaited > > By Todd Zwillich > > BETHESDA, Md., Feb 28 (Reuters Health) - Leading > scientists > at > the National Institutes of Health (NIH) welcomed Health > and > > Human Services Secretary Tommy to their campus > today to celebrate a record increase in the institutes' > funding > contained in President Bush's new budget proposal. > > appeared at NIH on the same day that the > president's > budget is to be officially unveiled to lawmakers on > Capitol > Hill. The > budget asks for nearly $2.8 billion in increased > funding > for > medical research at NIH, the largest single-year > increase > ever > requested for the agency. > > " There has been extraordinary support (from Congress) > in > the > last few years. The wind remains in our sails, " said > Dr. > > Klausner, the director of the National Cancer > Institute. > > While the proposed $2.8 billion dollar increase is a > record > for NIH, > the figure falls short of the rate of budget increases > the > agency is > supposed to get under a 5-year plan started in 1998. > > told reporters that " simple arithmetic " means that > researchers > can expect even more money to come from Congress in the > near > future. > > The proposal to double the NIH budget between 1998 and > 2003 > > called for a 15% increase in NIH spending every year > for 5 > years. > The $2.8 billion increase suggested by Bush represents > a > 13.6% > increase. > > " There's going to have to be a $4.1 billion increase in > the > next > fiscal year " to reach the 5-year funding goal, > said. > > " Perhaps Congress will see the administration's funding > request > this year and up it, " Dr. Francis , director of > the > National > Human Genome Research Institute, told Reuters Health. > > Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Penn.), chairman of the > appropriations > sub-committee in charge of NIH funding, said through a > spokesman that he was " pleased to see the $2.8 billion > increase, > but in terms of going above and beyond that this year, > the > simple > answer is that we don't know if that is possible. " > > An aide to Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), a ranking member > of > that > committee, added that " If there is an opportunity to > increase (the > NIH budget), Harkin would be supportive. " > > Still, it remains unclear whether NIH will be able to > spend > the > money as freely as many researchers would like. The > Bush > administration is still considering whether or not to > allow > federal > funding of research on human embryonic stem cells. > > Those cells are thought by many scientists to have > great > potential > in medical research because of their ability to form > many > different > kinds of human tissue. But the research faces strong > opposition > because the cells originate from embryos. > > Research using the cells could have an enormous impact > on > the > development of treatments for a host of human ailments, > including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and > diabetes, according to Dr. Fred Levine, a > microbiologist > and > diabetes researcher at the University of California at > San > Diego. > > " If you don't fund (stem cell) research, you're > narrowing > the > number of avenues we can pursue. It would be a major > setback > for several types of research, " he told Reuters Health > in > an > interview. > > Levine added that a denial of federal funding would > slow, > but not > stop, embryonic stem cell research in the United > States. > Some > stem cell studies are funded by private organizations, > including > the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, which spends $1.2 > million > per > year on such research, according to spokesperson Randi > Hoffman. > > The administration has not yet made a decision on > funding > embryonic cell research, said. But scientists > are > eager for a decision since their NIH grant applications > are > due in > two weeks. > > " I would tell (scientists) to put in the applications " > even > while the > administration considers whether or not to fund them, > he > said. > > © 2001, Reuters Health Information > Services > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2001 Report Share Posted March 2, 2001 Bill, Thanks for the email addresses. That was quick! I'll send my email to the President right now. Do your suppose I'll end up on some FBI watch list if I email the President? Thanks again. Jerry NIH funding ??? > > Hi all, > > Note that if they do not make a decision in two weeks on stem cell research, > it > research will halt research in progress. That may kill the hopes of > students > working on projects right now. Researchers can not work without pay and > this is > the time of year that grad students are looking for grant money to pay for > next > years tuition. Therefore, if the decision is not made, it may stop a top > researcher from doing this reearch and change to a new field. > > Also Bush is raising the funding, but has not said much about neurological > research. He has mentioed cancer research and AIDS. AIDS already gets a > huge > portion (about 100 times as much per patient of Parkinson's) of the research > money. Cancer gets about 10 times as much money per patient as Parkinson's > per > patient and heart research is about the same level as cancer. > > Take care, Bill and Charlotte > > Reuters Health Summary > > NIH budget cheered; stem cell decision awaited > > By Todd Zwillich > > BETHESDA, Md., Feb 28 (Reuters Health) - Leading > scientists > at > the National Institutes of Health (NIH) welcomed Health > and > > Human Services Secretary Tommy to their campus > today to celebrate a record increase in the institutes' > funding > contained in President Bush's new budget proposal. > > appeared at NIH on the same day that the > president's > budget is to be officially unveiled to lawmakers on > Capitol > Hill. The > budget asks for nearly $2.8 billion in increased > funding > for > medical research at NIH, the largest single-year > increase > ever > requested for the agency. > > " There has been extraordinary support (from Congress) > in > the > last few years. The wind remains in our sails, " said > Dr. > > Klausner, the director of the National Cancer > Institute. > > While the proposed $2.8 billion dollar increase is a > record > for NIH, > the figure falls short of the rate of budget increases > the > agency is > supposed to get under a 5-year plan started in 1998. > > told reporters that " simple arithmetic " means that > researchers > can expect even more money to come from Congress in the > near > future. > > The proposal to double the NIH budget between 1998 and > 2003 > > called for a 15% increase in NIH spending every year > for 5 > years. > The $2.8 billion increase suggested by Bush represents > a > 13.6% > increase. > > " There's going to have to be a $4.1 billion increase in > the > next > fiscal year " to reach the 5-year funding goal, > said. > > " Perhaps Congress will see the administration's funding > request > this year and up it, " Dr. Francis , director of > the > National > Human Genome Research Institute, told Reuters Health. > > Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Penn.), chairman of the > appropriations > sub-committee in charge of NIH funding, said through a > spokesman that he was " pleased to see the $2.8 billion > increase, > but in terms of going above and beyond that this year, > the > simple > answer is that we don't know if that is possible. " > > An aide to Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), a ranking member > of > that > committee, added that " If there is an opportunity to > increase (the > NIH budget), Harkin would be supportive. " > > Still, it remains unclear whether NIH will be able to > spend > the > money as freely as many researchers would like. The > Bush > administration is still considering whether or not to > allow > federal > funding of research on human embryonic stem cells. > > Those cells are thought by many scientists to have > great > potential > in medical research because of their ability to form > many > different > kinds of human tissue. But the research faces strong > opposition > because the cells originate from embryos. > > Research using the cells could have an enormous impact > on > the > development of treatments for a host of human ailments, > including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and > diabetes, according to Dr. Fred Levine, a > microbiologist > and > diabetes researcher at the University of California at > San > Diego. > > " If you don't fund (stem cell) research, you're > narrowing > the > number of avenues we can pursue. It would be a major > setback > for several types of research, " he told Reuters Health > in > an > interview. > > Levine added that a denial of federal funding would > slow, > but not > stop, embryonic stem cell research in the United > States. > Some > stem cell studies are funded by private organizations, > including > the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, which spends $1.2 > million > per > year on such research, according to spokesperson Randi > Hoffman. > > The administration has not yet made a decision on > funding > embryonic cell research, said. But scientists > are > eager for a decision since their NIH grant applications > are > due in > two weeks. > > " I would tell (scientists) to put in the applications " > even > while the > administration considers whether or not to fund them, > he > said. > > © 2001, Reuters Health Information > Services > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2001 Report Share Posted March 2, 2001 I also sent a letter to the president et al. Here is a copy if you're interested. Dear President Bush, Please allow me to first say how pleased I am that you are now the President of the United States of America. I am a 30 year old mother of two and a registered voter who correctly punched my ballot for Bush/Cheney. I think you are restoring integrity to the office of the president. I am contacting you regarding something I heard you mention in you " psuedo state of the union " address earlier this week. It was exciting for me to hear you plan to ear mark more monies for the NIH. My father, who is only 54, has been diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). MSA is an awful disease with no known cure at this time. Unfortunately, it doesn't receive a great deal of attention in the media since we don't have a celebrity who has been diagnosed with this insidious disease. Basically, it is a malfunction of your autonomic nervous system. Patients are often misdiagnosed with Parkinson's disease initially, but when the do not respond to medication and present other symptoms typically unique to MSA the diagnosis is often revised. This disease takes EVERYTHING form you. Like I said, my Dad is only 54. He and my Mom have been married for 33 years. He has 3 children of his own and six grandchildren: my brother who is 32 and has four kids; myself and my two kids; and my younger sister. This is the time in his life when he should be able to do the things he always wanted to do but wouldn't because he was always sacrificing for his family. Unfortunately, that is not possible now. My Dad can no longer dress himself. This very proud man has been reduced to wearing diapers and has to be catheterized every night. He has constant excruciating pain in his back and neck. His blood pressure is so low he passes out on a regular basis which causes him to incur other injuries such as cuts and bruises. He was a self employed veterinarian. He can no longer work, which has put a financial burden on him and my Mom. I go to stay with him when my Mom has to go out of town for business. I can't sleep at night because I'm constantly worried he'll stop breathing and I won't see him again. My younger sister isn't married yet but my Dad won't be able to walk her down the aisle. My dad can't even pick up or hold his grandchildren. My Mom cries constantly. I know there are a lot of diseases. But I beg you to please set a side monies to continue stem cell research. From what I've read this is my Dad's last hope. Fortunately, stem cell research seems to be very promising for several autonomic dysfunctions: Parkinson's Disease, Diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease to name a few as well as people with spinal cord injuries. In short, stem cell research would probably benefit as many, if not more people, than those diagnosed with cancer and/or heart disease. I am not discounting these people, I'm simply asking you to make my Dad and others like him to have the same fighting chance for treatment or a cure. Thank you so much for you time and consideration! le Shinaberry-Sullivan Louisville, KY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2001 Report Share Posted March 2, 2001 I also sent a letter to the president et al. Here is a copy if you're interested. Dear President Bush, Please allow me to first say how pleased I am that you are now the President of the United States of America. I am a 30 year old mother of two and a registered voter who correctly punched my ballot for Bush/Cheney. I think you are restoring integrity to the office of the president. I am contacting you regarding something I heard you mention in you " psuedo state of the union " address earlier this week. It was exciting for me to hear you plan to ear mark more monies for the NIH. My father, who is only 54, has been diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). MSA is an awful disease with no known cure at this time. Unfortunately, it doesn't receive a great deal of attention in the media since we don't have a celebrity who has been diagnosed with this insidious disease. Basically, it is a malfunction of your autonomic nervous system. Patients are often misdiagnosed with Parkinson's disease initially, but when the do not respond to medication and present other symptoms typically unique to MSA the diagnosis is often revised. This disease takes EVERYTHING form you. Like I said, my Dad is only 54. He and my Mom have been married for 33 years. He has 3 children of his own and six grandchildren: my brother who is 32 and has four kids; myself and my two kids; and my younger sister. This is the time in his life when he should be able to do the things he always wanted to do but wouldn't because he was always sacrificing for his family. Unfortunately, that is not possible now. My Dad can no longer dress himself. This very proud man has been reduced to wearing diapers and has to be catheterized every night. He has constant excruciating pain in his back and neck. His blood pressure is so low he passes out on a regular basis which causes him to incur other injuries such as cuts and bruises. He was a self employed veterinarian. He can no longer work, which has put a financial burden on him and my Mom. I go to stay with him when my Mom has to go out of town for business. I can't sleep at night because I'm constantly worried he'll stop breathing and I won't see him again. My younger sister isn't married yet but my Dad won't be able to walk her down the aisle. My dad can't even pick up or hold his grandchildren. My Mom cries constantly. I know there are a lot of diseases. But I beg you to please set a side monies to continue stem cell research. From what I've read this is my Dad's last hope. Fortunately, stem cell research seems to be very promising for several autonomic dysfunctions: Parkinson's Disease, Diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease to name a few as well as people with spinal cord injuries. In short, stem cell research would probably benefit as many, if not more people, than those diagnosed with cancer and/or heart disease. I am not discounting these people, I'm simply asking you to make my Dad and others like him to have the same fighting chance for treatment or a cure. Thank you so much for you time and consideration! le Shinaberry-Sullivan Louisville, KY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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