Message #10 From:
TheMachine Date: September 19, 2008 04:28:24 PM
Edison man with brain tumor fights for cancer research funds
EDISON —Jeffrey Weinstein is running a race against time.
In July 2007, the 51-year-old township resident was diagnosed with a
form of brain tumor, (Glioblastoma Multiforme Grade IV brain tumor)
which has an average survival rate of just two years.
As the clock ticks, Weinstein, who worked as a neuro-anesthesiologist, is pinning all his hopes on "more cancer research.''
"I don't have a lot of time to wait,'' he said in a phone interview Thursday. "So I have a sense of urgency.''
He
expressed frustration over the federal cancer research budget, which he
said has decreased by nearly $630 million, or 13.7 percent, since 2003.
He
said that when the budget was presented, GOP lawmakers said if they
spend one extra dollar on cancer research they would have one less
dollar for other priorities.
"To me, that extra dollar affects my chance at survival,'' Weinstein said.
Weinstein joined the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network as an "ambassador'' for cancer research, representing New Jersey's 7th Congressional District.
The
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, in collaboration with
the One Voice Against Cancer coalition, has worked with Congress to introduce a bill establishing a National Cancer Fund.
Weinstein said, "Unfortunately, the bill only has two co-sponsors so far.''
He said the legislation needs a bigger push to gain momentum. "If more congressmen support the bill, chances of it passing the House and then going to the Senate are high,'' he said.
At
a fundraiser for congressional candidate Linda Stender, held recently
in Kenilworth, Weinstein and his wife Karen discussed his concerns with
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
"We were thrilled that she (Pelosi)
acknowledged us and highlighted the importance of medical research in
her remarks to everyone in the room,'' Weinstein said later.
Pelosi said the Democrat-controlled Congress keeps passing health-care legislation but President Bush keeps vetoing the bills.
Weinstein
remains optimistic, saying that great research is already being done on
cancer and that if this bill is passed, he's confident a cure will be
found for him on time.
"I think it is critical for my survival,'' he said.
He added that his treatment is working right now, but that the type of cancer he has often goes into remission and then returns.
He urged people to write to their representatives in Congress in support of the bill.
The American Cancer Society's Web site at www.acscan.org offers directions on how people can lobby their congressmen to support the legislation.
