 |
 |
VERY good news that such a fact-filled PD-related message got published, Linda! You go, Girl! Barb Mallut [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Linda J Herman <[log in to unmask]> To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]> Date: Sunday, December 13, 1998 6:14 AM Subject: Letter-to-the-Editor > I had a nice surprise this morning - my letter to the Buffalo News was >published in "Everybody's Column." It was placed at the top of the page, >under a large photo of Michael J. Fox, and the headline - "PROVIDE >FUNDING FOR PARKINSON'S RESEARCH" - sure to get people's attention. >Unfortunately, although there was only a little editing, the one sentence >they did change was my wording "Over 1 million Americans have been >diagnosed with Parkinson's…" to "of the 1 million Americans …" > But, this is the first time the Buffalo News has included anything about >Parkinson's research funding, so I am very happy about it. I also sent >additional information to the Health Editor, and suggested a report on >the funding issues, but haven't heard anything yet. This is my letter, as >published: > >PROVIDE FUNDING FOR PARKINSON'S RESEARCH > >At the age of 45, I too learned that Parkinson's Disease does not strike >only the elderly. Of the 1 million Americans diagnosed with Parkinson's, >an estimated 15% are under the age of 50. Most people were unaware of >this until Michael J. Fox's courageous announcement. >Although advances have been made in the treatment of the symptoms, there >is no cure, and the disease progresses relentlessly. Like Fox, many >people with Parkinson's try to remain optimistic. >However the questions - how much longer do I have to live a normal life, >to work, to be able to care for my family, to be able to care for myself >- are always lurking in your thoughts. >On the Parkinson's Information Exchange, an international e-mail >discussion and support group, we hear from many young onset patients who >have become too disabled to continue working. The newly diagnosed know >that without a cure, it is only a matter of time before they will be >disabled too. >For years, inadequate funding for Parkinson's research has impeded >progress towards a cure. Recognizing the disparity in federal funding for >PD, Congress passed the Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Act >in 1997, authorizing $100 million for research. >However for the second year, Congress has failed to appropriate funding >for the Udall Act. In addition, there have been efforts recently to >limit or ban stem cell research, which scientists say shows great promise >for curing this disease, as well as many others. >If we are to conquer Parkinson's Disease so that all of its victims can >look forward to productive, independent lives, it is crucial that all >avenues of medical research be fully supported. > >Linda Herman >