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ST. LOUIS, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving
Cures today began a television advertising campaign to support the signature
gathering effort required to place the Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures
Initiative on the state ballot. Earlier in the week, the Missouri Secretary
of State approved the Initiative, providing approval for the signature
gathering process to begin. The Coalition needs to gather about 150,000 voter
signatures by early May to place the measure on the November 2006 statewide
ballot.
The Stem Cell Initiative protects the right of Missouri patients to have
their diseases and injuries treated with any federally-approved stem cell
cures and ensures that Missouri medical institutions can conduct any stem cell
research allowed under federal law. It also creates clear ethical and
oversight guidelines for stem cell research conducted in Missouri -- including
a strict ban on any attempt to clone a human being.
The Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, whose members include dozens
of state and national patient groups and medical organizations, began airing
two TV spots on Friday, November 18, 2005. One features former Sen. John
Danforth, an Honorary Co-Chair of the Coalition and Episcopal Minister. The
other provides an overview of the Stem Cell Initiative. Both spots can be
viewed online by visiting the Coalition website at
http://www.MissouriCures.com .
In his 30-second spot, Sen. Danforth explains why he supports the
Initiative, based on his pro-life views and voting record. "My entire
political career I voted pro-life, and that is exactly why I favor the Stem
Cell Initiative," Danforth says. "I believe in saving human life. I want
cures to be found, and I want the scientists, the physicians, who are here in
our state of Missouri to participate in finding these cures. Please join me
in supporting the Stem Cell Initiative."
The second Coalition TV spot explains why the Initiative is needed and
what it does, and notes that it is supported by many major patient and medical
organizations including the American Diabetes Association, the Christopher
Reeve Foundation, the Parkinsons Action Network, the Stowers Institute for
Medical Research in Kansas City and Washington University in St. Louis. The
visuals in the ad include photos and words on screen to illustrate points made
by an announcer in a voiceover which says:
"Stem cells could provide cures for diseases and injuries that afflict
millions of people, including diabetes, Parkinsons, ALS, cancer, heart
disease and spinal cord injury. But some politicians in Jefferson City
want to ban important types of stem cell research and cures in Missouri
and make lifesaving stem cell research a crime in our state.
The Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative was developed to make
sure that wont happen. This voter referendum measure will ensure that
Missouri patients have access to any stem cell cures that are allowed
under federal law. It will ensure that our medical institutions can
provide and help develop those cures. And, it resolves the cloning issue
by banning any attempt to clone a human being. The Initiative is
supported by a broad coalition of medical and patient groups, and people
from all walks of life.
You can help by signing our petitions to let Missourians vote on this
important measure. For more information, please contact the Missouri
Coalition for Lifesaving Cures. Thank you."
Donn Rubin, Chairman of the Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, said
the group plans to run ads statewide for several weeks to help kick off the
signature gathering effort and provide voters with basic information about the
Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative.
Contact:
Connie Farrow
(314) 968-2600
Bill Musgrave
(816) 931-7417
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