A Closer Look

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Update on Stem Cell Litigation

As I said to you in my e-mail of August 25th, all of us at PAN found the imposition of an injunction halting federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research (hESC), issued pursuant to Sherley v. Sebilus, to be both devastating and unexpected.  PAN, as a member of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR), has been working hard to ensure that the voices of those who are truly affected by this awful decision – patients and researchers – are heard in this case.  Today, CAMR, with the help of PAN and on behalf of its extensive membership, filed an amicus curiae brief with Judge Lamberth of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.  The brief was submitted in support of the papers filed by the Department of Justice on Tuesday asking Judge Lamberth to “stay” the preliminary injunction and restore federal funding for hESC research while the full case is heard in court. More »

VA Publishes Final Regulation to Aid Vietnam Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today, August 31, published its final regulation establishing Parkinson's disease, ischemic heart condition, and B-cell leukemias as service-connected disabilities for Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange.  The final regulation grants a 100% disability rating for Parkinson's disease, as well as retroactive veteran and survivor payments for qualifying veterans. More »

NIH Director's Response to Stem Cell Injunction

On August 26, Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Keynote Speaker for PAN's 16th Annual Research & Public Policy Forum last February released a statement about a federal judge temporarily halting federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.  Click here to view this statement on the NIH Web site.
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Recent Stem Cell Decision

As I am sure you already know, on Monday, a federal judge issued a temporary injunction halting all federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research.  This ruling was both devastating and unexpected.  It was devastating because it immediately stops federal funding to a field of research that holds promise for many diseases, including Parkinson’s.  And the decision was unexpected because, while we knew the lawsuit was pending, the underlying legal theory of the judge’s decision is inconsistent with the long-standing interpretation of the statute known as the “Dickey-Wicker Amendment.” More »

PAN CEO Interviewed on CBS Evening News

On August 23, one day after a federal court judge temporarily halted federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, Parkinson’s Action Network Chief Executive Officer Amy Comstock Rick was interviewed in a story on the CBS Evening News.  Rick spoke about the need for the science to continue, in order to help people living with diseases and their families.  Please view the video below. More »

Stem Cell Research Update

The following is an important news update from the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) on the recent court ruling temporarily halting federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.  The Parkinson’s Action Network (PAN) is a long-time member of CAMR.  Please click here to read an article from Reuters regarding the court ruling. More »

Merck Letter on the Global Supply of SINEMET

Many in the Parkinson's community have heard about a possible shortage of the prescription drug SINEMET in some countries in Europe.  Although there is no problem with the supply of SINEMET in the United States, many of you may be interested in a letter PAN received from Dr. Michael Rosenblatt, Merck’s Chief Medical Officer, with information about the global supply situation.  Please feel free to share the letter with others as you see fit. More »

Advocating in August

As a constituent of your Member of Congress, you hold the power to make a difference without coming to Washington, DC!  This August, we invite you to meet with your Representatives and Senators while they are back home on recess from Congress.  The August work period, which runs from August 9-September 10, is a perfect opportunity to meet with lawmakers.
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PAN Saddened by the Death of Bette Lee Levenson

PAN is saddened by the passing of Bette Lee Levenson of Chevy Chase, MD on Monday, August 2, 2010.  For those of you who did not have the opportunity to know Bette, she was a dedicated supporter of PAN for many years.  Her husband, Buddy, died of Parkinson’s in May 2000 and Bette kept up a strong fight against the disease. More »

Successful First Steps to Securing Funding for Our Programs!

Good news!  We are on track to get funding from Congress this year for two programs important to the Parkinson's community:  the Department of Defense Parkinson's research program and the new Cures Acceleration Network. More »