A Pre-Thanksgiving News-release about my new book! Please consider sharing with friends.
Contact: Don C. Reed, diverdonreed@gmail.com https://www.stemcellbattles.net
How California became the center of the stem cell universe– and why that matters to you.
In a state-wide recession, a small group of patient advocates fought for three billion dollars of stem cell research funding—and won.
Award-winning author Don C. Reed’s new book, “STEM CELL BATTLES: Proposition 71 and Beyond” tells the up-close and personal story of the struggles of the California stem cell agency, and the breakthroughs that came from it: step-by-step progress against cancer, AIDS, blindness, heart disease and more, conditions which bring pain to our families, and devastation to the economy.
One in three Americans has an “incurable” disease. Last year, chronic disease cost America $2.3 trillion dollars—more than all federal income taxes combined. And the suffering? Incalculable.
When Don’s son Roman Reed became paralyzed in a college football accident, a father-son quest for cure began. The Reeds helped pass laws to raise money for research and to protect scientists’ freedom to use stem cells, including the Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Act.
Then, in 2003, came Proposition 71: Bob Klein’s $3 billion citizens’ initiative. The Stem Cells for Research and Cures Act was an uphill battle– but California would not be denied.
And when the program actually began? Some predicted not even one therapy would make it all the way to human trials. Today, 28 stem cell-derived therapies are in various stages of human clinical trials, including: Diabetes: a credit card-sized device which may replace missing insulin cells; Paralysis: stem cells to reduce the wound and save function; Cancer: helping the body’s immune system fight back; Blindness: rebuilding the retina.
“…warm, optimistic, determined…Stem Cell Battles is a prime example of how a small group of people can bring about significant change for many…valuable for that reason alone, but the human stories Reed includes make it more so.”—J.G. Stinson, FOREWORD Reviews (5 hearts)
See author Don C. Reed on the spot: one minute to sum up stem cell research! https://www.cirm.ca.gov/our-progress/video/don-reed-why-we-need-new-stem-cell-therapies-and-how-you-can-help
A former professional scuba diver, Don C. Reed has won numerous awards for teaching, advocacy and writing: including Teacher of the Year, the U.S. House of Representatives Community Service Award, and the Educational Press Association of America Award.
“STEM CELL BATTLES: Proposition 71 and Beyond: How Ordinary People Can Fight Back Against the Crushing Burden of Chronic Disease—with a Posthumous Foreword by Christopher Reeve”. World Scientific Publishing, Inc. 432 pages, color illustrations, for a general readership. Widely available December 16th, in hardcover, softbound and e-book formats.
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