As a parkie, I'd like to thank you for testifying. Your presence is much more notable than a thousand of us private sector folks. As a Parkinsonian and a nurse who also takes care of fellow PWP, I appreciate all you are doing, and will do , in my own little way, what i can . God's blessing upon us all. In faith that a cure will be found - -Linda Potter Michael J Fox wrote: > Dear Friends, > > As many of you know, on September 28th I had the honor of testifying before > the Senate Labor HHS Appropriations Subcommittee about the urgent need for > more funding for > Parkinson's research. > > The hearing has set in motion a real chance for a major increase in research > funding, and your help is needed NOW to make this opportunity a reality. I > was > very encouraged to hear the tremendous promise for a Parkinson's cure in the > next 5 to 10 years - AS LONG AS THERE IS ADEQUATE FUNDING. I was also very > moved by the > support of so many of you who came from across the country to fill the > hearing room and make our voices heard. > > My message at the hearing was simple. This is a winnable war - as long as > the funding matches the scientific potential. Along with Joan Samuelson, > Jim Cordy and > Dr. J. William Langston, we asked the subcommittee to provide $75 million > MORE > for Parkinson's focused research. > > Comments of Senator Arlen Specter, Chairman of the Subcommittee, gave us > great hope when he stated: "This issue is in the hand of the Congress..." > and that "...there is no reason that every valid research application should > not be granted -- every one ought to be granted." > > The Senate is now considering the Labor/HHS Appropriations bill on the > Senate floor, but there is no mention yet of the additional $75 million for > Parkinson's focused research. > > WE NEED YOU TO SEND A MESSAGE TO CONGRESS: TELL THEM WE NEED AN ADDITIONAL > $75 MILLION FOR PARKINSON'S FOCUSED RESEARCH. With this funding, the > research > community believes that we could find a cure to this disease in > less than 10 years. > > Time is short: please call and e-mail NOW! > > Call Senator Arlen Specter, Chairman of the Labor HHS Senate Appropriations > Subcommittee at (202) > 224-4254, or e-mail: [log in to unmask] > > You can also call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for each > of your two Senators - any of whom can help secure the additional funding. > > Send your message today!!! > > --Michael J. Fox