There is benefit in those interested in HD throwing in their support
for PD research funding: those in Congress become aware of a greater
constituency served. Whether that appeals to their noble or magnanimous
sides or to the more utilitarian prospect of additional re-election voters,
it doesn't matter so long as the upshot is more useful research performed.
Below is the response I received today from a Senator representing
Montana.
Return-Path: <[log in to unmask]>
>Date: Thu, 13 Jun 96 15:43:43 EST
>From: [log in to unmask]
>To: Jim Hyland <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: S.684
>
> Thanks for your note, Jim. I've heard from many Parkinson's victims
> and their families. I appreciate you calling the Huntington's aspect
> of this legislation to my attention. I'll be giving some study to the
> issue of federal neurological disorder research in the coming weeks.
> I also look forward to seeing how the Labor and Human Resources
> Committee addresses the Udall bill. I understand how important this
> issue is to you and your family.
>
>
>______________________________ Reply Separator
_________________________________
>Subject: S.684
>Author: Jim Hyland <[log in to unmask]> at Internet
>Date: 6/12/96 12:00 PM
>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>From: Jim Hyland <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: S.684
>
> I have a daughter with Huntington's Disease (HD). There is an
>immense amount of overlap between HD and Parkinson's Disease (PD.) Both
>are neurodegenerative disorders. HD involves selective cell death of the
>striatal neurons in the brain and PD occurs when nerve cells in the area of
>the brain known as the substantia nigra die or become impaired.
> The two diseases are both chronic, meaning they persist over a long
>period of time, and progressive, meaning the symptoms grow worse over time.
>
> The purpose of this message is to get you interested in supporting
>S.684 which will fund PD research. HD would greatly benefit indirectly
>from any advances made in pallidotomy procedures or fetal cell
>transplantation or dozens of other area to be researched with this new
>funding. What's good for PD will almost inevitably be good for HD.
>
> $$ Investment in medical research is one of the most effective
>ways to reduce long term health care costs. $$
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