 |
 |
Organize, organize, organize To contact us: [log in to unmask] December 21, 2006 The Pro-Cures movement is comprised of hundreds of organizations representing millions of patients and their families. That is both its strength and its weakness. During the HR810 debate, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) presented for the record letters from nearly 600 medical associations and societies, disease foundations and patient advocacy groups in support of expanding embryonic stem cell research. Sam Brownback, the primary spokesperson for the opposition, offered none. That is not to say that Brownback had no public support. He had quite a lot, but nothing from a bona fide medical, disease or patient organization. The most notable difference in the support of the two sides is their reach, their ability to mobilize their grassroots - people like you and me. On the Pro-Cures roster we find nearly 600 organizations. And it is to our detriment that they are, for the most part, disconnected from a unified base. They're not organized into a national grassroots network. They don't share their databases, which in most cases are held tightly for fear that donors might be "stolen" by their brethren, all competing for contributions. There is no national Pro-Cures symbol, nor an umbrella organization under which all can identify. There is little cross-border assistance for state issues. This renders the grassroots Pro-Cures movement disjointed, fragmented and largely unable to speak with a unified voice. This is not to say that the grassroots has been totally ineffective. To the contrary, it is indeed gaining traction everywhere. But it is to say that it lacks the cohesiveness and unity which could change it into perhaps the most powerful political force in the nation. The anti-cures groups have had 33 years in which they figured this out and they've organized accordingly. They are a maze of numerous connected organizations and many are household names: Focus on the Family, National Right to Life and the Christian Coalition, to name but a few. Then add to the mix the Catholic Conference and the Baptist Convention. They have learned to collaborate and cooperate in their mutual causes, which affords them power. Real power. The kind of power that makes some politicians live in constant fear, knowing they're a force to be reckoned with. On a mere moment's notice the anti-cures groups can deliver a wave of faxes, a mountain of letters and a flood of emails. Their leaders can walk unannounced into almost any legislative office and be seen. They easily and readily get audience with legislative aides and legislators. It's not that all legislators agree with them. Most don't. But the anti-cures groups command respect, if for nothing other than their sheer power; power that comes with the magnitude of numbers that can be mobilized by their well oiled machine. They didn't accomplish this overnight. It took many years of struggle, trial and error, learning, and the willingness to put aside egos to perfect the formula. But remember, spawned from scores of pro-life organizations, they've had 33 years to get it right. That's a monumental head start. The Pro-Cures movement does have a great advantage, though. We don't have to wait 33 years to perfect a new model. We need not reinvent the wheel. We can duplicate their model so long as we can agree to collaborate and cooperate, to unify and share our resources. The numbers are clearly on our side. There are about 100 million American patients who stand to benefit from embryonic stem cell research. Realistically, some are children. They can't vote or become too politically active. Some are part of the religious right and wouldn't join us in any event. Some are too ill to become involved. And some are simply apathetic, content to believe they can't make a difference. But even if we were to assume that those exceptions represent a whopping 70% of our potential universe, that still leaves a potentially unified 30 million activists. Let me repeat that: 30 million potentially unified activists. That's 24.7% of the total votes cast in the 2004 presidential election. How's that for a political force? And guess what? If you're reading this, there's a high probability you're one of us. Fortunately, we don't have to start from ground zero. An infrastructure is already in place. The Stem Cell Action Network (SCAN) was founded in 2003 by Idelle Datlof, who today serves as its Executive Director. SCAN was formed as the grassroots complement to the many Pro-Cures organizations. For instance. ¨ SCAN sponsored the first ever U.S. Stem Cell conference at the University of California - Berkeley in 2004. ¨ SCAN was acknowledged by Congresswoman Diana DeGette as among the first organizations to endorse HR810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. ¨ SCAN endorsed the Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures and their campaign for Missouri Amendment 2. ¨ SCAN endorsed Floridians for Stem Cell Research and Cures and their campaign for the Florida Cures Initiative. ¨ SCAN endorsed Californians for Cures, backing Proposition 71. ¨ SCAN endorsed the Kansas Coalition for Lifesaving Cures in their efforts to preserve embryonic stem cell research there. ¨ SCAN is listed among the Harvard Stem Cell Institute's recommended Public Education and Advocacy links. ¨ SCAN is listed among the recommended Public Education and Advocacy links of the Center for Regenerative Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. ¨ SCAN is listed among the recommended links of the University of Wisconsin's Waisman Center. ¨ SCAN is listed among the recommended links of Stem Cell Research News. ¨ SCAN is listed among the recommended links of Stem Cell Research Foundation. ¨ SCAN was the first to post Portraits of Hope - a place where patients could tell their stories, "putting a face" on the need to pursue the research. This served as a model for numerous other organizations. I could go on and on, but suffice it to say that coast to coast you'll find SCAN's thumbprints everywhere. Thus, SCAN is uniquely positioned as the group to carry the flag, the symbol of unity of the grassroots of the Pro-Cures movement. Let's also be clear as to what SCAN is not. It is not the advocacy representative of any singular disease group. It is not about representing the interests of Parkinson's patients over diabetics. Nor is it meant to supplant any other organization or usurp their activities. To the contrary, SCAN is the hub that unites these groups, that unifies their collective voices and serves to address the stem cell side of their respective communities. For individuals: The process to join SCAN is simple and painless. Just sign up at the web site. Click here to go to the registration page. There is no fixed cost to join. Give what you can, what you feel you can afford, what you think is fair. If you can't afford anything, that's okay too. You will note that the registration page is completely separate from the donation page. This is by design. Neither is a prerequisite of the other. As a member, you'll receive SCAN's e-mail newsletter, StemFacts. It will provide you with stem cell news, updates on the Pro-Cures movement and information about how the grassroots - people like you - are making a difference across the country. Membership also comes with a little responsibility. When pending stem cell policy or legislation is on the line, SCAN will notify you and ask that you send an email, fax or letter. SCAN will provide you with all the details about the issue, suggestions of what to write, and instructions on how to get your communiqué properly delivered (email address, fax number, street address). Your participation in these efforts will shape the future of stem cell research - and you never have to leave home to accomplish this. Finally, SCAN requests that you help swell the ranks. Try to recruit at least two others to join with you. For organizations: Again, the process is simple and painless. There are only two requirements. First, agree to use your data base list cooperatively to further the stem cell research cause. SCAN will forward a request that you, in turn, forward to those on your list. Same issues; same email, fax or letter. In short, the request flows from SCAN and through you. All you have to do is commit to being a conduit. Second, identify your organization as a member of SCAN with a banner on your web site, which SCAN will provide. The banner will provide a link to the SCAN web site. Once again, there is no set fee for membership. All are welcome regardless of financial condition. If your organization can contribute, great. If not, that's okay too. Now think of the potential power: On a moment's notice, millions of communications from like-minded Pro-Cures advocates - a bloc representing 25% of the voting public. Unification of the Pro-Cures grassroots begins with you. It begins today. Sign up as a member of the Stem Cell Action Network. Just click here. Do it now. - Jeff Eisen -- To be notified by email of new editorials, send a request to: [log in to unmask] -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn