Press Kit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:    author available for interview

Contact: author Don C. Reed, (650) 812-1011, diverdonreed@pacbell.net

California Stem Cell Agency “Huge Success: Must be Renewed”, says Author

Don C. Reed has been called the “Grandfather of stem cell research advocacy”, for his 23-year struggle for scientists’ funding and freedom, especially his support of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). In his new book, “CALIFORNIA CURES:  How the California Stem Cell Program is Fighting ­­Your Incurable Disease!”, Reed tells why the agency should continue its work.

“Lives have been saved, and suffering eased, because California stood up for stem cells in 2004,” Reed says. “Now as we approach the end of that voter-approved program, it is vital that everybody knows the story of CIRM.”

Progress?  6-year-old Evie Vaccaro is “alive today because of a stem cell therapy supported by CIRM”. Evie was born with Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID), the ‘bubble baby’ disease. Untreated, such children usually die in the first two years of life. Happily, a CIRM-supported treatment developed by Donald Kohn at UCLA, has cured Evie– and 30 more children like her.

Meet Evie and author at:     https://blog.cirm.ca.gov/tag/evie-vaccaro/

Much more: Six paralyzed young people have recovered the use of their arms and hands. A blind mother’s sight was partially restored, so she could see her teenage twins—for the first time. Stanford scientist Irv Weissman may have the answer to cancer—allowing the  body’s immune system to detect and destroy previously invisible cancer cells. A “gorilla gynecologist” (she once assisted the late Koko, the signing gorilla) Bertha Chen may be able to prevent urinary incontinence.

“CALIFORNIA CURES”  is brought to you by World Scientific Publishing, Inc., publishers of the late Professor Stephen Hawking. https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/10747

Hear the author on the Mitch Albom Radio Show:  https://stemcellbattles.net/don-on-mitch-albom-radio-show/

For video and more, visit the author’s website, www.stemcellbattles.com,

REVIEWS FOR DON REED’S NEW BOOK:  “CALIFORNIA CURES”!

“… so unlike the typical medical book.  The reader isn’t bogged down in myriad medical terms and lost in bone-jarringly long chapters… Imminently readable.”

5 stars–NN Lights Book Heaven

“…a personal, eye-witness account of the hard work and determination of extraordinary scientists … The California Stem Cell Program is changing the world.”  –Mary Wooley, President/CEO, Research!America

“Don Reed has been on the front lines in the fight for stem cell research as long as there has been a fight… his books show how ordinary people are leading the charge to change the face of medicine…”

–Jonathan Thomas, PhD, JD, Chair of CIRM Board

“If there is a greater champion of stem cell research than Don Reed, I have yet to meet them…His relentless determination is one of the reasons CIRM exists and that we are able to help advance the field here in California.”

–Kevin McCormack, CIRM Director of Communications

“Don Reed is a force of nature whose leadership role as a patient advocate was instrumental in the formation of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), an organization devoted to accelerating stem cell treatments to patients with unmet medical needs…

–Maria T. Millan, M.D., President/CEO, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

…a lively, unexpected consideration of California’s program and its implications for health care everywhere. … packed with insights that blend history and the latest research…stem cell potentials to change not only health conditions, but society…

No collection covering stem cell advancements should be without this book”….

–Midwestern Book Review

You cannot read Don’s books without feeling you know him personally, connecting with his life and values; nothing is off limits, nothing is embarrassing, love and laughter are important…. “Love is a verb, an action word”… “Urination has become an accuracy challenge!”. We are all a part of the battle against chronic diseases…Researchers alone cannot get funding, advocates alone cannot deliver cures–the public must not be excluded from discussions and decision-making…

–Heather Main, Ph.D., stem cell researcher, Stockholm, Sweden

AUTHOR BIO

Don C. Reed, vice President, Americans for Cures Foundation

382 Riverside Ave. Fremont, CA 94536 (650)812-1011

diverdonreed@pacbell.net    www.stemcellbattles.com

Born: August 19, 1945

Education: B.A, Teacher’s credential, Cal State Hayward, 1988

Work history: U.S. Army, 1963-66;  associate editor, Strength and Health Magazine, 1968-70; reporter, Fremont News-Register, 1971-2; commercial scuba diver for Marine World/Africa USA, 1972-87; English teacher, 1987-2004; VP for Public Policy, Americans for Cures Policy, 2004-present.

Stem cell research advocacy:

.Citizen sponsor for Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Act, 1999;

.Opened Roman Reed Lab at UC Irvine, 2002;

.Grassroots organizer for Sen. Deborah Ortiz’s three stem cell research laws, 2002-2004;

.Helped organize First International Stem Cell Action Conference, UC Berkeley, 2004;

.Helped extend Roman Reed Act five years by unanimous vote of legislature, 2004;

.Served on patient advocate board for campaign for Proposition 71, 2003-2004;

. Vice President public policy for Americans for Cures, 2004-present

 

Publications: books: CALIFORNIA CURES!, World Scientific, 2018. STEM CELL BATTLES: World Scientific, 2015. NOTES FROM AN UNDERWATER ZOO, Dial Press, 1981, SEVENGILL: THE SHARK AND ME, Sierra Club Books, 1984, THE DOLPHINS AND ME, Sierra Club Books, 1986, WILD LION OF THE SEA, Sierra Club Books, 1989, THE KRAKEN, Boyds Mills Press, 1995. Magazine articles: approximately 30, for THE LANCET, OCEANS, BOY’S LIFE, HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN, others. Editorials, letters: New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, others.

Weblog: www.stemcellbattles.com Frequent columnist HUFFINGTON POST

Awards: Willie Shoemaker Award for Advancing Spinal Cord Injury Research Awareness, 2005; nominated to Spinal Cord Injury Hall of Fame, 2005; received Genetics Policy Institute Advocate of the Year Award, 2006; Highlights for Children, Outstanding Science Article of the Year Award, twice; Fremont Unified School District Teacher of the Year, 1999-2000; National Press Award, 1996.

Married to Gloria Jean Reed for 35 years, Reed has two children: Desiree’, an attorney for Fresno State College, and Roman Reed, a student at the University of California, and himself an activist for stem cell research legislation. He takes joy in four grandchildren: Jackson, Jason, Katherine and Roman Jr.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS for Don C. Reed, “CALIFORNIA CURES:  How the California Stem Cell Research Program is Fighting Your Incurable Disease!”

Q: Do you have any official connection to the California stem cell program? Are you a doctor or scientist?

Q: There does not seem to be the same negative reaction toward stem cells now–??

Q: California is investing $3 billion in stem cell research, more than any other state—or any nation for that matter, except America– how are we doing?

Q: You can’t guarantee success, of course—unrealistic expectations?

Q: Three billion dollars is a lot of money!

Q: Your book’s contents page mentions a “Gorilla Gynecologist”—is that for real?

Q: What about paralysis, which affects your son?

Q: You interviewed many scientists for your book. Can you talk about some of the possible therapies they are working on?

Q: What about the controversial embryonic stem cells– are they still used?

Q: Do you have any advice for young scientists?

Q: Does California work with other states, and/or nations?

Q:  Does California share in the benefits, if profits come?

Q: Is there room for more biomed workers in California?

Q: How can people get more information about the California stem cell program?

Q: Is the money all spent?

Q: Money is tight in this state, as it is everywhere—some say we cannot afford it?

NOTE: the previous picture is the author applauding Evie and Alyssia Vaccaro. Evie, cured of “Bubble Baby” syndrome, has no idea what all the fuss is about…

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