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the Stem Cell Page time and ignorance are the enemies |
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Missouri on my mind |
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By Don C. Reed
Editor’s note: Don C. Reed is a well known California stem cell research advocate. His son, Roman, sustained a spinal cord injury, is a quadriplegic for whom the Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Act was named. Don has worked with legislators and patient advocacy groups, written extensively on stem cell research and served as the Chairperson of Californians for Cures. He is the publisher of stemcellbattles.com, a web site dedicated to his fight for embryonic stem cell research. Since it’s launch in October, 2005, Don has posted a nearly daily column. With his permission, we reprint number 229.
Yesterday and this morning I sent ten letters to Missouri. If you want to do the same, the email addresses are below. Why would either one of us want to do such a thing?
Because a big Missouri victory is key to stem cell research success across America.
If Claire McCaskill wins her Senate race, we gain a wonderful friend and huge supporter. If her opponent (Jim Talent) wins, we keep the same guy who has voted against stem cell research umpteen times - and, almost certainly, the anti-research forces maintain their stranglehold on government.
There is another reason why stem cell research victory depends on Missouri. A win on Amendment 2: the Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative would be just huge for us. If Amendment 2 passes, the legendary Stowers family, Jim and Virginia Stowers, will build a new medical center in Missouri - and there will be stem cell research done there.
If not, not.
For purely selfish reasons, I want Missouri to win. I want my son Roman to walk again. I want my sister Barbara safe from cancer.
We need Missouri’s help.
Let us stand beside her now.
If you want an idea of what to say in a letter to Missouri, my own are below. I left out the signature and address stuff to save space.
[Email addresses provided here. Just copy and paste…]
letters@kcstar.com kansascity@bizjournals.com letters@post-dispatch.com editor@tribmail.com editor@columbiamissourian.com editor@newstribune.com letters@joplinglobe.com letters@news-leader.com Marylou.Montgomery@courierpost.com
SCP asks you to follow Don’s example. Please take a few minutes to write your letters to editor. Spread the word and help us win the vote on Missouri’s Amendment 2!
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The Kansas City Star STEM CELL SUPERBOWL
Please know that supporters of stem cell research across the country are following the struggle in Missouri with more intensity than football fans follow the Super Bowl.
As the father of a paralyzed young man, there is nothing more important than the advancement of science which may one day allow my son Roman Reed to walk again.
Right now, Missouri is the center of the stem cell universe.
Your Senatorial race pits a strong supporter of the research, Claire McCaskill, against an opponent, Jim Talent who consistently votes against it.
Your Amendment 2, the Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, is something shining, and just plain common sense, giving Missouri patients access to future federally-approved stem cell cures that are available to other Americans.
Thank you, Missouri. You are fighting for people suffering all across the country.
Good luck in November. ------------------------------------------------
Kansas City Business Journal AMENDMENT 2 MAKES BUSINESS SENSE
Dear Editors:
Missouri’s decision on Amendment 2 is not only a chance to help advance the hopes for cure for suffering people across America, but it is also solid common sense and good business.
Missouri should consider becoming a world stem cell research business center.
With the Stowers Institute as a center, attracting world-class researchers, the kind of mom-and-pop business beginnings could spring up, exactly as they are doing in California and New Jersey.
For me, selfishly, Missouri’s support of the Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative matters because it offers hope that my paralyzed son Roman Reed may one day walk again.
But for Missourians who want to work in a solid emerging industry, with jobs that pay well, and that let you go home feeling proud at night - well, sometimes, good is good business. -------------------------------
St. Louis Post-Dispatch AMENDMENT 2 MEANS FAIR PLAY FOR MISSOURI
Dear Editors:
First, I must confess to a conflict of interest. I want Missouri to vote yes on Amendment 2, the Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, because I have a paralyzed son. With the power of Missouri scientists helping, my son Roman Reed has a better chance of walking again one day.
But there is also a legitimate fair play issue here.
Why should Missourians be denied stem cell advancements available elsewhere in America?
All that Amendment 2 does is say: if stem cell research is morally, ethically, scientifically accepted in America and approved by the federal government, it should not be denied to the citizens of the Show-Me state.
I find that hard to disagree with. -----------------------------------------
Columbia Daily Tribune AMENDMENT 2: TAKE A STAND FOR STEM CELLS
Dear Editor:
Missouri’s Amendment 2, the Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, is important for everyone in America.
My son Roman Reed broke his neck playing college football, and became paralyzed from the shoulders down.
In California, we passed a law named after him, called the Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Act. “Roman’s law” provided funding for stem cell research that allowed formerly paralyzed rats to walk again… you might have seen a program about that research on 60 MINUTES not long ago. That research must be allowed to go forward.
America needs Missouri’s help.
When my wheelchair warrior son speaks on behalf of stem cell research, he always ends his speeches the same way:
“Take a stand on behalf of stem cell research. Take a stand—so one day, everybody can.” --------------------------------
Columbia Missourian ONLY WAY TO LOWER HEALTH CARE COSTS
Dear Editor:
The only way to lower skyrocketing health care costs is cure—and cure is exactly what Amendment 2, the Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, is all about.
When our parents’ generation cured polio, they not only saved lives and eased suffering; they also saved America an estimated $28 billion a year in health care costs.
The next time someone gets mad about the health care insurance they can’t afford, ask them if they voted YES on Amendment 2, the pride of Missouri.
If they say yes, shake their hand and congratulate them. --------------------------------
DAILY DUNKLIN DEMOCRAT AMENDMENT 2 - SOURCE OF PRIDE
Dear Editor:
Amendment 2, Missouri’s Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, is something every person on earth should be proud of. It offers hope for people who have been told, there is no hope.
I remember the worst moment in my life, September 10, 1994.
My son Roman had broken his neck in a college football game. We were in the hospital.
The doctor told my wife Gloria and I that our son would never walk again, never close his fingers, never father a child - and he would die young.
We could not accept that. We still do not accept that.
On March 1, 2002, in the University of California at Irvine, I held in my hand a laboratory rat which had been paralyzed - but which now walked again - because it had been injected with embryonic stem cells.
Oh, one more thing - the child the doctors said would never be born? He is eight years old now, and he has a brother.
Thank you, Missouri. ----------------------------------
NEWS TRIBUNE PEOPLE WHO KNOW
Dear Editor:
If I am not sure of how to vote on something important, I look to who is backing it.
On medical matters, I want a doctor’s opinion. On scientific stuff, a scientist will do—and on decisions involving suffering patients, I want to hear their views as well.
That’s why Amendment 2, Missouri’s Stem Cell Research and Cures, is an easy YES.
A quick trip to their website, www.Missouricures.com shows an unprecedented coalition of patient and medical groups in support of Amendment 2. Groups like the Christopher Reeve Foundation, the Missouri State Medical Association, and over 100 patient, medical, faith and civic groups endorse Amendment 2.
2,000 doctors, nurses, and health care professionals support Amendment 2, a total of 60,000 individuals who put their good names behind Amendment, 2 - the largest group of its kind ever formed to support a ballot measure in Missouri.
60,000 people - that is enough to fill 60 high schools - united in support of something decent, and needed: Amendment 2.
Thank you, Missouri. ------------------------------
JOPLIN GLOBE AMENDMENT 2: Reason to Hope
Dear Editor:
On the walls of an Egyptian tomb is the first historical mention of spinal cord injury.
Of paralyzed soldiers, the pictograms read: “Deny them water; let them die - there is nothing that can be done.”
Until just recently, that was the truth. Paralysis was incurable.
But now, thanks to stem cell research, we have hope.
This matters to me, because my son is paralyzed. His name is Roman Reed, and he had an accident playing college football 12 years ago, September 10, 1994.
I hope every voting-age citizen in Missouri turns out to vote on November 7.
Help the research move forward. Vote yes on Amendment 2. -----------------------------
SPRINGFIELD NEWS-LEADER MISSOURI FAMILIES DESERVE EQUAL ACCESS TO CURE
Dear Editor:
Amendment 2, the Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, has one purpose and one purpose alone: to insure that stem cell cures approved by America are not denied to Missouri.
If a person decides he or she does not wish to take medicine, that is their right.
But do they have the right to deny that medicine to your family?
Imagine you are standing on a dock, and a child falls into the water. She can’t swim. But there is a coil of rope beside you, and you reach to throw it down - but a big foot stomps on the rope, and a voice says, you cannot rescue the child - that would be ridiculous, wouldn’t it?
But there are some politicians who want to prevent stem cell research from rescuing hundreds of thousands of suffering Missourians. These narrow ideologues have tried again and again to shut off advanced stem cell research in the Show Me state.
Amendment 2 says Missourians shall not be blocked from stem cell research supported by the American government.
It’s reasonable, and it’s right. ---------------------------------
HANNIBAL COURIER-POST MISSOURI DECISION, AND A FAVOR REQUESTED
Dear Editor:
If someone you love, a friend or family member, is affected by a medical condition called “incurable”, November 7th is a day when you could make a difference.
You would also be doing a favor for someone you have never met. My son Roman is paralyzed with a spinal cord injury, my sister Barbara has cancer. They are among America’s one hundred million citizens with chronic medical conditions.
I ask your help. The answer to these and other devastating medical maladies is in your hands.
Amendment 2: the Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, is not a funding bill; no taxes will be created or increased. It comes with strict ethical controls and oversight.
It will simply allow stem cell research approved by America to continue in your state.
This November 7, when you step into that voting booth, and make your decision, I hope it is YES on Amendment 2.
One hundred million Americans - and my son and my sister - will be affected by your decision.
Thank you, Don C. Reed
SCP asks you to follow Don’s example. Please take a few minutes to write your letters to editor. Spread the word and help us win the vote on Missouri’s Amendment 2!
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I Support Embryonic Stem Cell Research |
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Don Reed, former Chairman, Californians for Cures |
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