Posted by Therese Bujold on January 07, 1998 at 22:31:40:
In Reply to: Re: NIH xenotransplantation forum posted by Melissa Davis on January 07, 1998 at 14:42:43:
Thanks Melissa,
The question as to whether to take advantage of an NIH assembly on xenotransplantation being called that is *directly* related to our concerns goes without saying.
The NIH says in announcing the forum "This meeting is open to all interested persons but may be of particular interest to persons:
-affected by other clinical condition which could potentially benefit from xenotransplantation (e.g., insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, Parkinsons disease, Huntington's disease, refractory pain.)"
By all means, everyone should continue to email directly to the NIH. But in addition to that, let's be heard at a meeting that we are being ASKED to attend! The NIH cannot know the people's concerns if the people will not speak their concerns. This is an opportunity to tell them *directly* what we want. For islet transplantation (particularly xeno, as this is the forum's subject) to be funded! We want the cure that is our best hope.
I am volunteering to gather letters, put them in individual manilla envelopes, and see that they are delivered to the NIH meeting on Jan 21st and 22nd. Ms. Milan of the NIH had mentioned to me that the public may not speak, but can participate in Q@A. She also left her phone number for me to call her with any other questions.
To keep it very simple (the way it should be) during that session, we can present the letters. There will be no 'speech' by the presenter, as this is not allowed.
So, if anyone would like to participate, you can email me at tbujold@up.net, or fax to 1-906-822-7800 with your letters, and/or photos. Melissa has also agreed to add this to her site.
Remember, there is strength in numbers. Let's tell the NIH this month that we want to be heard.
Therese
BTW, I recieved my Barbara Davis Center/Denver "newsnotes" on D research. George S. Eisenbarth, MD, PhD, Executive Director says: "It is likely that the next stage in curing diabetes will be the development of effective islet transplantation."