How California became the center of the stem cell universe – and why that matters to you!
Palo Alto, CA, USA (November 28, 2015) — In 2003, during 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 California stem cell agency, and the breakthroughs that came from it: challenges to cancer, AIDS, blindness, heart disease and more, conditions devastating our families, and the economy. One in three Americans suffers an “incurable” disease. Last year, chronic disease cost America $2.3 trillion dollars-more than all federal income taxes combined.
When Don Reed’s son Roman 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 work with stem cells, including the Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Act of 1999. Then came Proposition 71: Bob Klein’s $3 billion initiative. The Stem Cells for Research and Cures Act was an uphill battle — but California prevailed.
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 the insulin cells from a diabetic’s non-functioning pancreas; Paralysis: an injection of stem cells to reduce the wound and save function; Cancer: a way to help the body’s own immune system fight back; Blindness: rebuilding the retina in the most common form of vision loss-and much more.
“…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: given 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
Reed has won numerous awards: Teacher of the Year, the U.S. House of Representatives Community Service Award, the Educational Press Association of America Award, more.
“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. Pub date December 16th. Hardcover, softbound and e-book formats.
Available at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Stem-Cell-Battles-Proposition-Christopher/dp/9814618276
Contact:
Don C. Reed
650-812-1011
diverdonreed@gmail.com
http://www.stemcellbattles.net
