This document advocates for increased funding of embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) by providing examples of how it has helped patients and could lead to cures for many diseases. It discusses specific cases like Theresa Blanda's treatment for leukemia and two patients with vision improvements from retinal cell transplants. While ESCR has promising potential, it argues that a lack of federal funding has slowed medical breakthroughs and that increased awareness and support could help drive public demand to change funding policies.

1. Let’s Save lives with
ESCR!
By: Masa Arafa

2. Right now, someone is suffering.
While you’re sitting at home, people are
suffering from diseases, conditions and
disabilities. You might think that there’s
nothing you can do about it, but you CAN!

3. ESCR? What?
ESCR is short for embryonic stem cell
research. Without getting too technical about
it, these cells can potentially cure and help
numerous patients.

4. Theresa Blanda
Theresa Blanda had leukemia and enrolled in an embryonic
stem cell trial.
“Within two months I went from using a walker, to a cane, to walking on my
own,” she said. Her white blood cell count dropped to normal. Today she's
back at work and off the bone marrow transplant list.
*http://www.cirm.ca.gov/our-progress/2009-annual-report-spotlight-leukemia

5. How?
Simply, embryonic stem cells can become any
type of tissue. Think about it, humans are
made of a bundle of tissues, so what if we
can just make any of them? That means
endless possibilities and medical
breakthroughs!

6. Rosemary and Freeman
Retinal cells derived from embryonic stem cells
were injected into the eyes of two patients suffering
from progressive blindness, and the results suggest
that the treatment has changed their lives.
This trial accomplished two things successfully, measured the safety of
injecting embryonic stem cells into people, and also improved their vision.
*http://healthland.time.com/2012/01/24/early-success-in-a-human-embryonic-stem-cell-trial-to-treat-blindness/

7. So, what kind of diseases are we
talking about here?
Well, many diseases. Here’s some of them:
Parkinson's disease, alzheimer’s disease,
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal cord
injury, burns, heart disease, diabetes, sickle
cell anemia, organ failures, arthritis, and
possibly others.

8. Too good to be true?
By now, you might be thinking this is crazy.
But it’s not. The only reason these
breakthroughs haven’t been made yet is lack
of federal funding. Any kind of medical
advancement requires research, and any
kind of research needs funding.

9. Not just medicine.
Actually, funding of ESCR goes beyond just
cures, it would help our economy. Think
about how all these new treatments would
boost the medical industry, and how the
expanded research would open up jobs in the
medical field.

10. More than a theory.
Economically speaking, there’s a huge
example that we could follow. California.
CIRM is one of the largest institutes that
perform ESCR, and it has helped their
economy beyond their expectations. Making
jobs, boosting their medical industry, as well
as actually generating revenue for the
government. This is proof that investing in
ESCR would be great for the U.S. economy!

11. Why no funding?
You might ask yourself, if all this is really true,
then obviously the government would have
funded it. Well, it doesn’t really work that way.
To get politicians to do something, there has
to be a lot of public demand for it. However,
there seems to be a lack of awareness and
knowledge concerning ESCR, which means
not much demand for it’s funding.

12. Not buying it?
Well, if you’re not convinced yet, check out
these websites:
http://www.cirm.ca.gov/our-progress/patient-stories-hope-stem-cell-research
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/stem-cell-transplant/in-depth/stem-cells/art-
20048117?footprints=mine
http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/23/health/stem-cell-research-breakthrough/
http://www.scpr.org/programs/madeleine-brand/2011/11/28/21535/the-economics-of-stem-cell-
research/
http://www.stemcellnetwork.ca/index.php?page=the-potential-of-stem-cell-research

13. What do we do?
If you want to do something, don’t worry; It’s
not hard. Just start out with looking at these
websites and ESCR advocacy groups.
http://www.cirm.ca.gov/our-progress/get-involved
http://www.researchamerica.org/stemcell_issue
http://www.americansforcures.org/
http://www.stemcellaction.org/content/issue
http://www.nyscf.org/
http://www.jp2mri.org/organizationslist.htm

14. Thank you!
Just by going through this slideshow, you
have increased awareness. Whether you
decide to do something or not, you have
actually helped. So, thank you!