Parkinson

Mr. Cordy, on Behalf of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, Urges Congress to Increase Number of Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Available to Scientists

Washington, DC&emdash;May 22, 2003&emdash;Today, Parkinson’s disease patient and advocate James Cordy testifies on behalf of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) before the Subcommittee on Labor Health and Human Services, U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee. Mr. Cordy, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 15 years ago, will urge Senators on the Committee to expand the number of stem cell lines available for federally funded scientists. Excerpts from Mr. Cordy’s speech are highlighted below. A full copy of his testimony is available by clicking here.

“I am one of the many millions of Americans who will benefit from biomedical research, made possible by the dollars that you appropriate. I view this invitation to testify as my opportunity to change the world. If I choose the right words, paint the right picture, I hope to give you not only a glimpse of what it's like to have a neurodegenerative disease, but also a sense of the staggering utter despair, frustration, and anger that accompanies such a diagnosis. But the intensity of those emotions pale in comparison to my feelings as I see a potential cure for my affliction dangled in front of me only to see well-intentioned people limit our brilliant scientists from reaching that goal.”

“Parkinson's disease means that the neurons, the cells in the brain which control movement, continue to die day after day after day. I found this hourglass to be an effective aid to help those that don't have Parkinson's appreciate the relentless and ruthless nature of this disease. Just as the grains of sand flow from the upper chamber into the lower chamber, the neurons in the upper chamber of my brain relentlessly die. The result is the loss of one function after another after another. The worst-case scenario- the one everyone who has Parkinson's fears- is that which beset your colleague Mo Udall, who became trapped his body unable to move or speak as a result of his advanced case of Parkinson’s.

“You may ask how I feel about the need for increased stem cell lines. You need only look at my hourglass to know my answer. I'm in a race against time. Will the cure, which I hope for, come soon enough for me? We won’t know until the scientists have the support of the federal government to fully explore this area.”

“Time is running out for the more than 100 million Americans with permanently disabling, and ultimately fatal, diseases and conditions such as Parkinson’s, diabetes, and Huntington’s. I am not a scientist, I am here today as the voice of all of us who may benefit from stem cell research. It is time to let the scientists work.”

Michael Manganiello, President of CAMR said, “Mr. Cordy speaks not just for himself, but for the millions of Americans who stand to benefit from embryonic stem cell research. The more scientists learn about embryonic stem cells, the stronger the case for expanding the number of lines available for research.”

The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR), is comprised of nationally-recognized patient organizations, universities, scientific societies, foundations, and individuals with life-threatening illnesses and disorders, advocating for the advancement of breakthrough research and technologies in regenerative medicine - including stem cell research and somatic cell nuclear transfer - in order to cure disease and alleviate suffering. For more information on CAMR, visit the website: www.camradvocacy.org.