We need additional Congressional Coordinators in New York. Please This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it - if you are interested in this important volunteer position.

GOOD NEWS! NYS Legislators have passed a budget for FY 2008 that includes $100 million for stem cell research, and up to $50 million annually for the next ten years. The funding will be administered within the State's Health Department. Actions by many PAN NYS Congressional coordinators and other Parkinson's grassroots advocates helped to make this funding a reality.

MORE GOOD NEWS ! The first NYS stem cell research grants were announced on Jan. 7th. $14.5 million was awarded to 25 institutions in the first round of grants. For more information and to see who received these grants see: http://stemcell.ny.gov/research_support_grants_awards.html

An Update on New York State Stem Cell Research Funding

The New York State Health budget for 2008-09 was passed on April 1st. Stem cell funding was passed 100% intact, while other programs were cut by 2% .The 2008-09 state budget includes $50 mil in new funding, in addition to the balance left over from this year's $100 million. Six new RFAs for new grants to be released soon.

The Empire State Stem Cell Board is comprised of two committees - a Funding Commitee and an Ethics Committee. Their meetings are open to the public and are webcast live. Archived webcasts of past meetings are also availble for viewing. To access the webcasts and for a schedule of upcoming meetings, see:

http://stemcell.ny.gov/events_meetings.html

NEWS: On May 13, 2008, the full Stem Cell Board adopted a Draft Strategic Plan. It is available on the web at:
http://stemcell.ny.gov/docs/NYSTEM_Strategic_Plan_FINAL.pdf

Public comments on the draft will be accepted until June 13th. Comments may be submitted online or mailed to the board. see: http://stemcell.ny.gov/plan_comment_form.php

PAN New York State Coordinator:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it NY -26
Amherst, NY
Phone: (716) 839-2164
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Westchester County:

PARKINSON'S Support Group of Westchester County.

--Our weekly exercise program at the YWCA continues on schedule & is well attended.

--We, hopefully, plan to host & organize a research forum some time in the fall that will present an update of the progress being made towards resolving typical & atypical Parkinson's diseases. We shall also be inviting other support group members and interested individuals from around the metropolitan area.

For more information contact Fernando Fajardo at: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

More New York State PD Information

Parkinson's Disease Related Federal Funding in NYS

NIH:

Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease Center of Excellence at Columbia University (NYC).

Parkinson's Disease Data Organizing Center at the University of Rochester

Department of Veteran's Affairs:
Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center (PADRECC) and Consortium Sites:

Syracuse VA Medical Center
James J. Peters VA Medical Center (Bronx NY)

Department of Defense

Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Research Program (NETRP) grantees:

Columbia Un
University of Rochester Medical Center
Intracellular Therapies, inc.
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Rockefeller Un.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Health Research, Inc.

Stem Cell Research Legislation:

Federal:

Both NYS Senators Clinton and Schumer are cosponsors of S.5 and support federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. All NYS Representatives voted in favor of HR 3, except the following: King (NY3), McHugh (NY23), Walsh (NY25), Reynolds (NY26), Kuhl (NY29). If you live in their districts please contact them to discuss the issue.