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-- [ From: Seymour Gross * EMC.Ver #2.5.3 ] -- On August 19 the following letter was sent to Delthia Ricks of Newsday: I want to thank you for the article you wrote which appeared in the August 12 Newsday, "Paralysis: A Test With Fetal Cells." It is of special interest, of course, to those who everyday confront the ravages of the diseases referred to in the article. In New York State there are an estimated 108,500 people with Parkinson's disease, more than 1,000,000 in the United States (30% of whom are under age 40), and 50,000 more are being diagnosed each year, many of whom are "baby boomers." While the government spends only $30 per year for research into the causes and cure for Parkinson's per diagnosed person, U.S. Senate testimony estimated the costs resulting from Parkinson's as exceeding $25 billion per year. The Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Act, S. 535, HR 1260 will in part, authorize $100,000,000 in fiscal '98 for Parkinson's research, etc. Please note that the cost of care far exceeds the cost of cure. It is anticipated that this proposed legislation which is being spearheaded by Senators John McCain and Paul Wellstone, and Representatives Henry Waxman and Fred Upton will be acted on shortly after September 3 when Congress returns. I'm enclosing a copy of the Udall bill, which is named in honor of Arizona Congressman "Mo" Udall who served his district for 30 years and was a Presidential candidate in 1976. In 1992 he was forced to retire from Congress because of the complications of Parkinson's, and now resides in a Veteran's facility in Washington, DC. Also enclosed is a printout which shows the disparite rate of investment in research by the government re Parkinson's and other diseases. It is this disparaty and the fact that scientists are on the verge of breakthroughs in Parkinson's, which makes passage of the Udall bill essential. The brochure, as you will note pertains to the 4th annual Parkinson's Unity Walk. I hope that you will see fit to attend and meet with those about whom this letter is all about. Newsday may want to do an article on the Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Act and the disparaty in scientific research funding. Readers may want to know if their Congressmen have signed on as co-sponsors of this bill. I would appreciate hearing from you. Thank you. Dolores Gross