May 11, 2004

TAMR Praises Courage of Nancy Reagan

Beckie McCleery (512) 585-3329

Judy Haley (713) 464-8707

Powerful conservative Republican voices are beginning to break their silence, as grassroots support swells and scientific evidence grows stronger that regenerative medicine, and specifically stem cell research, is medicine’s newest and most promising frontier. Saturday night, former First Lady Nancy Reagan joined these swelling ranks, as she spoke at a California Juvenile Diabetes Research event that raised $2 million for stem cell research.

“The courage and wisdom demonstrated by Mrs. Reagan is extraordinary and commendable,” said Beckie McCleery, President of Texans for Advancement of Medical Research (TAMR). “Her public commitment confirms the growing bi-partisan support for stem cell research.”

Stem cell research holds the hope for cures to diseases like diabetes, Parkinson’s, MS, MD, spinal cord injury, and Alzheimer’s the disease which, according to Mrs. Reagan, has taken the former president “to a distant place where I can no longer reach him, and share our 52 years.” She added that “Science has presented us with a hope called stem cell research, which may provide our scientists with many answers that for so long have been beyond our grasp. I just don’t see how we can turn our backs on this.” Letters expressing similar support for stem cell research from former presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton were read to the enthusiastic audience filled with celebrities, including Parkinson’s patient and advocate Michael J. Fox.

“Mrs. Reagan’s speech came on the heels of a letter to President Bush from 206 members of Congress, including a number of conservative, pro-life Republicans, who are convinced that they can no longer remain silent about political roadblocks to development of cutting-edge treatment,” said Judy Haley, TAMR Vice President.

TAMR is composed of leading scientists, physicians, ethicists, health groups, and individuals who support biomedical research for the purpose of curing diseases and alleviating suffering. TAMR was created last legislative session in response to the threat to stem cell research in Texas. TAMR is helping to build a bi-partisan coalition within the Texas legislature that supports all types of stem cell research.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Judy Haley (713) 464-8707 or 

April 16, 2004

TAMR Praises Gift to New Frontiers Campaign for Diabetes Research
Charles Butt donates $1 million for new research center

Texans for Advancement of Medical Research (TAMR) on Wednesday praised the generous gift of $1 million by Charles Butt, President of H-E-B, to the Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases (IMM). Butt’s gift, combined with H-E-B’s $1 million contribution in 2002, was earmarked to help create a new Research Center for Metabolic Diseases at IMM.

“With this generous act, hope has been given to thousands and thousands of people who suffer from metabolic diseases,” said Beckie McCleery, president of TAMR. “These two gifts will enable IMM to recruit an outstanding scientist to lead the research effort.”

The center will focus primarily on non-insulin dependent, or adult onset diabetes, in an effort to help the over 18 million people in the United States alone who have the disease, as reported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

In addition to targeting diseases like obesity and Cushing’s Syndrome, the IMM also plans to explore the potential of stem cells to treat type I diabetes mellitus, or juvenile diabetes.

“It is imperative that Texans preserve the ability of research facilities across the state to conduct potentially life saving, ethical research using stem cells, in their search for cures to the world’s most deadly diseases,” said Judy Haley, vice-president of TAMR.

Texans for Advancement of Medical Research (TAMR) seeks to preserve biomedical research in regenerative medicine. The organization is composed of leading scientists, physicians, ethicists, health groups, and individuals who support biomedical research for the purpose of curing diseases and alleviating suffering.

TAMR was successful in defeating legislation during the most recent 78th Legislative Session that would have criminalized stem cell research using Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer, or therapeutic cloning.

Beckie McCleery (512) 585-3329

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Judy Haley (713) 464-8707 or 

March 31, 2004

TAMR Praises Gift to UT-Houston for Stem Cell Research
Anonymous donor gives $25 million to boost program

Texans for Advancement of Medical Research (TAMR) on Wednesday praised the record $25 million anonymous gift to the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. The gift was earmarked to enhance the school’s stem cell research program funding the hiring of a stem cell researcher from one of the top-tier, prestigious universities in the country, and the purchase of new equipment.

“This generous benefactor is nothing short of a hero,” said Beckie McCleery, president of TAMR. “With this generous act, hope has been given to thousands and thousands of people who suffer from degenerative diseases, and who will benefit from stem cell research.”

TAMR was successful in stopping legislation during the most recent 78th Legislative Session that would have outlawed stem cell research using Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer, or therapeutic cloning.

“Had that legislation passed, some of the most valuable forms of stem cell research made possible by this gift, including the most promising for treatment of children, would have been illegal,” Judy Haley, vice-president of TAMR, said.

Today, hundreds of thousands of Texans suffer from diseases and conditions, including diabetes, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and heart disease. Haley thanked the anonymous donor for the generous contribution: “One day soon, we may be able to turn out the lights and close the door on many diseases- thanks to this new and unnamed hero.”

TAMR, a non-profit organization formed in 2003 to preserve biomedical research in regenerative medicine in Texas, is composed of leading scientists, physicians, ethicists, health groups, and individuals who support biomedical research for the purpose of curing diseases and alleviating suffering.

Beckie McCleery (512) 585-3329