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I received the following messsage from Bill Franklin, a Parkinson's advocate from California,, and he asked that I share it with the list. I wish that federal funding of stem cell research, for that matter, all medical research was not a political issue -- that these decisions were based purely on scientific and medical evidence and promise. However, as we have learned that it not the case - research funding policy is very much entwined with politics. Those list members who believe that ESCR funding should not be limited as Pres. Bush has stated it will be, should find many good ideas and resources in Bill's message about what you can do to make your voices heard. Linda --------- Forwarded message ---------- From: [log in to unmask] Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2001 12:44:35 EDT Subject: ESCR Position and What You Can Do (Updated) While many of us can appreciate the President's dilemma and his desire to compromise, our needs have not changed and the facts regarding stem cell research have not changed. The fact is that Embryonic Stem Cell Research (ESCR) has such great potential to help Parkinson's patients that it must be aggressively explored. We need to encourage scientists to explore all possible alternatives without delays and without excessive bureaucracy. There are many opposed to Embryonic Stem Cell Research who are mounting campaigns to further restrict the research. If our goal is to evaluate the possible contribution of Embryonic Stem Cells to curing Parkinson's Disease, we need to ask the scientists what they need including how many lines of stem cells and how soon they can do it based upon different funding levels. To take 10 years to do something that could be done in 3 is not acceptable. If we want something, we need to let those who can help us know what we need. If we are quiet, then everybody will assume that the President's proposal is sufficient for us and we are content. If you are not content to see the delays, funding limitations, and restrictions on stem cell usage, let those who have power to change it know what you want. We need to make our voices heard. ** TAKE ACTION ** NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS We need to encourage the major National Organizations to be our collective voice and champion Embryonic Stem Cell Research (ESCR). Let them and any other group who can help know your thoughts. Visit their web sites, contact them, and encourage them to take action on your behalf. Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR): <A HREF="http://www.stemcellfunding.org/">http://www.stemcellfunding.org/</A > Parkinson's Action Network (PAN): <A HREF="http://www.parkinsonsaction.org/">http://www.parkinsonsaction.org/ </A> Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF): <A HREF="http://www.jdrf.org/">http://www.jdrf.org/</A> Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research 1400 I St., NW, Suite 530 Washington, DC 20005 E-mail: [log in to unmask] Parkinson's Action Network 300 North Lee Street, Suite 500 Alexandria, VA 22314 Voice: (800) 850-4726 (703) 518-8877 Fax: (703) 518-0673 E-mail: [log in to unmask] Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International 120 Wall Street New York, NY 10005-4001 Phone:(800) 533-CURE (2873), (212) 785-9500 Fax: (212) 785-9595 E-mail: [log in to unmask] CONGRESS We need to encourage our elected officials to work to reduce or eliminate the President's limitations on Embryonic Stem Cell Research (ESCR). Let them know your thoughts. If they are supporting ESCR, thank them. REPRESENTATIVE - to find your congressional representatives email address - click on <A HREF="http://www.house.gov/writerep/"> http://www.house.gov/writerep/</A> SENATOR - to find your senator's email address - click on <A HREF="http://www.senate.gov/contacting/index.cfm"> http://www.senate.gov/contacting/index.cfm</A> If all of us would respond with a simple reply like the example below we might make a difference. Subject: Support for ESCR I would like to encourage you to actively support ESCR (embryonic stem cell research) with sufficient resources to quickly determine its potential to cure Parkinson's and many other diseases. I look forward to your support. If you cannot support this, please let me know why. THE PRESIDENT Let the President know what you think. Encourage him to be open to new information as it becomes available on the need for more funding, the need for more research flexibility, and the need for more stem cell lines. Email to the President at [log in to unmask] or call the switchboard at 202-456-1414 or Fax him your thoughts at 202-456-2461. POLLS Respond to polls. Register your opinion whenever possible. Many polls are attached to major news publications and are only active for a short amount of time. When you see a poll being taken, respond to it and let as other supporters know about it. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Continue to write to the editor. Submit your article to as many papers as possible. This helps get the word out and keeps our issues visible. PETITIONS If you have not already done so, sign the petition by members of the Massachusetts General Hospital Neurological Web Forum and other concerned citizens in support of broad public funding for fetal and Embryonic Stem Cell Research (18,000 and still growing) - click on the following URL and be counted - <A HREF="http://www.petitiononline.com/stmcll/"> http://www.petitiononline.com/stmcll/</A> PASS ON THE WORD Please forward this to your friends, those on your email lists, family, and anybody who could help. If only 10 PWPs distributed this to 10 others who became advocates, we would have 100 additional advocates. Repeating this process 9 times would result in contacting a billion people. We can make a difference. TAKE ACTION; BE COUNTED; BE VISIBLE; LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD. Best Regards, Bill Franklin ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn