"Promise to Remember Me"

Rachel and I went to Austin yesterday to speak to our State Senator Dan Patrick and State Representative Corbin Van Arsdale about some stem cell research bills that are coming up for a vote in the coming weeks. (Thanks to the Twiggs for letting us stay Monday night!!)

She and I went 2 years ago when the school guidelines bill and another stem cell bill were up for a vote.

The bills that are up this time are critical because if not passed (or passed in the case of one) it could be the end of stem cell research in Texas and be a huge set back for the medical community here. We were told that already one team of researchers from Baylor have left to go up to Colorado because they cannot accomplish what they want to here.

We started the day by being recognized in the Senate Gallery (picture above) which is always nice. One of the Senators had a son that was with us, so we got a lot more attention than last time.

Apparently the practice of recognizing people in the House is just not done, however, a lobbyist got permission to do so. So we then went over to the House Gallery to be recognized.

We were warned that the House floor is "like a train wreck" and it probably would seem as if no one even knew we were there. But as the introduction was read, everything on the floor seemed to stop. Each Representative stopped what they were doing and turned to face us from the floor. Many of them walked up to the front by the mic to show their support of what we were doing. After the reading they all applauded the kids--and said that they were "heroes for going through what they do each day and for coming to Austin to try to make a difference." There were many tears from the moms in the group.

Rachel and I had appointments with both of these men...which as usual turned into appointments with their health aides, but they went well none-the-less. One of the co-founders of TMR was already in with the Van Arsdale aide when I got there. Mr. Van Arsdale is not a supporter of stem cell research, so this was an important meeting. After we left she was so excited and said I think you can turn him. She asked me if I would do some follow-up work, but was very positive. Later in the day she found me again and thanked me and said that it was one of the best meetings she'd been to.


Rachel was supposed to have done most of the talking, but clammed up as usual. When she was asked what it is like every day to have diabetes she said, "It stinks!" which got a lot of laughs and smiles. She showed the men her fingers and how calloused they have become after almost 9 years and 25,000+ finger sticks. She did a great job.

The campaign is called "Promise to Remember Me" and the kids are told to say to their Senators and Reps. "Promise to remember me when you are voting on these bills." This is the campaign that turned Senator Orrin Hatch into one of the biggest supporters of pro-embryonic stem cell research.

The 2 groups represented yesterday were the JDRF and TAMR--Texans for the Advancement of Medical Research. Both of which I am a member of. If you are interested in learning why stem cell research is important...and why specifically embryonic stem cell research is needed for finding a cure for diabetes, Parkinson's etc. then click here.