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on Thursday, February 19th, i was invited by US Congressman Lane Evans to be at his side at the State Capital press conference where he announced his intentions to run for a 13th term of office. i was also asked to make some remarks about his abilities to serve another term in the face of outragous comments by his opponent about his health being a factor in this campaign. here is what i said to the media: I am Joan Blessington Snyder. I live in Chillicothe, IL and am a wife and mom to two teenagers. I am 52 yrs. old and have been dxed with Parkinson's Disease for almost 14 yrs. now. I came here today to tell you why I think that Lane Evans can handle the job that you elect him to do. While I don't agree with every vote that Congressman Evans has cast...it is with certainty that I can vouch for his integrity, his humanity and his abilities. Parkinson's Disease affects each one of differently-it's a designer disease with no two of us progressing the same way or reacting to medicines in the same way. But what I know from meeting and talking to hundreds of people with Parkinson's is that in nearly every case, our disease, (while none of us would choose this path) has profoundly affected our lives for the better. It has taught us patience, compassion, and how to prioritize our commitments...and I can tell you in no uncertain terms that a person with parkinson's is a person who is an overachiever. I know Lane Evans and I know his disease and I can tell you that he is ultimately committed to continue to do the best job despite what some may see as a disability. I am proud to call Lane Evans a friend and I think that he embodies the words of Pope John the 23rd when he said: "Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do." and here is an article from the local newspaper: Celebrating lifesaving cord blood donation Aids scientific research By: Karen Danner of the Chillicothe Times Bulletin Wednesday, March 3, 2004 In a sea of name tags which reads like the Who's Who of the political and medical arenas sits Chillicothean Joan Blessington Snyder. Surrounded by people wielding so much influence, as well as an array of family and friends, Snyder slowly makes her way to the microphone to address the crowd gathered to "open the door to hope" celebrating cord blood donations at Three Sisters Park Saturday night. With her sister, Gina Harris, lending support, Snyder's halting voice brings the room to a sudden silence as her words as her words of thanks extend to everyone. "You all fill my heart with hope, not for my generation, but for my kids' generation," said Snyder as her words drifted into tears. Once again, Snyder, a self-made activist for Parkinson's disease, realized another of her many dreams-a celebration dinner about cord blood donation, the richest source of stem cells to save lives. Stars of the show Through the determination and effort of many people, the word is spreading about the value of donating cord blood. In January, a new law, House Bill 1834, took effect, making Illinois the first state to make mandatory doctor's offering their pregnant patients the opportunity to donate their umbilical cord blood, which contains lifesaving stem cells. Stem cell research will aid scientists in finding cures for not only Parkinson's, but also breast cancer, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer's and more. According to Cryobanks International of Orlando, FL, a collector of cord blood, after a baby is born and the umbilical cord clamped and separated from the baby, blood is drawn from the cord after the placenta is delivered. Once collected, the sample goes to Cryobanks, where it is processed and stored in liquid nitrogen indefinitely. Not only is cord blood collection painless, it is also not as controversial as embryonic stem cell collection and is non-invasive, unlike bone marrow retrieval. Dr. Kay Savings, medical director at Children's Hospital of Illinois told those gathered in Three Sisters Park pavilion, that the stem cells which are located inside bone marrow also exist in cord blood. Savings said that the first cord blood transplant was done in the late 1980's in Paris. She said that cord blood donation is less expensive than bone marrow; can be frozen, stored and remain easily available for immediate transplant; has less chance of rejection; and causes no harm to the recipient. Savings encourages awareness and spreading the word in all communities, giving more soon-to-be mothers the chance to take part. University of Illinois College of Medicine health research specialist, Peggy Mankin told the audience, "For the last two years, I've worked with Illinois communities" earning her the nickname of the "cord blood evangelist." Donations (donors remain anonymous) are listed on an international registry, said Mankin, and, to date, Illinois residents have donated almost 600 units of cord blood. Visiting Illinois once again, Texan Mitch Lechelt brought his musical talent and a cd for all the guests, "Open Doors," on which he wrote and sings the title song and with donated tracks from other Texas artists, is using the cd as a fund-raiser for finding a cure for Parkinson's disease and is now broadening its focus to include cord blood donation awareness. A fellow "parkie", Lechelt met Snyder in a PD chatroom online and the two became convinced that they were being brought together for a higher purpose. Lechelt said the evening represented "a coming together to change the way we deal with diseases. We're tired of being sick." Rep. David Leitch (R-Peoria), who sponsored HB 1834, spoke of the diversity of people who all share a concern about others and trying to help. "Think about the potential we have together," said Leitch. "People across the world will benefit from lifesaving cord blood donations." Master of ceremonies Gina Morss of News 25 WEEK, put in her feelings about cord blood donation in simple words. "It is such a no-brainer and it's not controversial," concluded Morss. For more information about Lechelt's CD "Open Door," visit the web site: www.opendoorscd.org <http://www.opendoorscd.org/> To learn more about cord blood donation, visit the web site: www.cryo-intl.com <http://www.cryo-intl.com/> or contact Snyder at: www.plwp.org -- Joan E. Blessington Snyder 51/13 http://www.pwnkle.com/jes/jes_web/index.htm <[log in to unmask]> "Hang tough...........no way through it but to do it." Chris-in-the-Morning (Northern Exposure) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn