Dying Iowa Voter Confronts Candidates - Associated Press

[CorpGovActivist]

By DAVID PITT, Associated Press Writer

DES MOINES, Iowa - A little over a year ago, Kathy Stangl received a devastating prognosis: Doctors told her she had only a few months to live.

...

"I don't know how long I'm going to be here," she said. "I'd like some answers on the record so if I can't, other people can hold them accountable."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071225/ap_po/dying_iowa_voter_3;_ylt=AgP51WYRhcfQqCzQEXVP.ugE1vAI">Full story here, with other outlets picking it up http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&tab=wn&q=kathy+stangl+associated+press&ie=UTF-8&scoring=d">shown here.

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What a noble way to spend one's final time on earth - seeking and demanding answers ON THE RECORD, so that even if she doesn't directly benefit, others might.

- Dave

[annabanana]

1. I'd like to know what the other candidates told her...

(not just Huck)

[CorpGovActivist]

2. Maybe She Will Establish (or Has Established)

... a website or blog that includes all the clips.

- Dave

[vickitulsa]

3. I agree.

"What a noble way to spend one's final time on earth - seeking and demanding answers ON THE RECORD, so that even if she doesn't directly benefit, others might."

She must be one of the very few of us "regular folks" who could get the ear of a candidate for more than just a handshake and a quick question or comment, too -- if she gets a chance to tell her background story before being moved away, that is. Sounds like she is doing well so far!

GOOD FOR HER! Her plight definitely puts the focus on what many believe should be a key issue -- if not THE key issue -- for the near future.

Health care is so basic, after all. How can any of us ever hope to accomplish anything in our lives if we can't even get reasonable health care? I'm disabled and live on SSDI, like this woman apparently does as well. Though I do not have a terminal disease (as far as I know), I am a chronic pain patient -- and people in this group find it extremely difficult to get proper care and treatment, even if they DO have access to the medical system in this country!

I've never understood why most Americans don't seem to fully grasp just how important this issue is and place it at the top of their list of concerns....

[CorpGovActivist]

4. My Father Was Disabled in His 20s...

... in the coal mines, and has lived with chronic pain most of his adult life. I have lived with Crohn's for more than half my life now, and understand pain, too.

The untapped potential of the millions of Americans who - with sound healthcare footing underneath them - could turn their talents and skills toward productive ends is a moral imperative.

She brings into sharp relief the fact that these candidates are - as she says - participating in a job interview, and we're the ones sitting behind the desk asking the questions.

- Dave

[ChazII]

5. Good for her!

It is about time that some of the genetic disorders receive funding as well as some of the childrens' cancers. Examples: Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis and Neurofibromatosis. Sorry for the rant. Four of my cyber community friends have lost their children due to cancers and 3 of the cancers have no funding for research. Luckily NF receives about $10 which doesn't go far but it is better than zero.

[CorpGovActivist]

6. Genetic Disorders, Autoimmune Disorders, Infectious Diseases, and Rare Cancers...

... are increasingly uncovering mutually-beneficial treatments.

You are 100% right: these lesser-known, lesser-funded disorders deserve much greater attention.

I sincerely hope that she is finding peace and hope in her quest to confront the candidates with the true weight of what they're seeking - the power to transform lives.

- Dave

[ChazII]

7. Thank you

for understanding my frustration. It is greatly appreciated - more than you will ever know.

[CorpGovActivist]

8. A Fictional Philanthropist Turned Down Funding Crohn's Research...

... on the basis that it is a "disease for farters," and therefore unworthy of his affiliation.

; )

It's frustrating, but the NIH funding drafts awaiting a Democratic Administration and Democratic Congress make a clear and compelling case that the interplay of genetic, autoimmune, infectious diseases, and rare cancers is now beyond question.

For example, look at the recent data regarding HPV infections and cervical cancer.

- Dave

[CorpGovActivist]

9. Chaz: You Might Find This Interesting (Autism: Harvard Magazine)

http://harvardmagazine.com/2008/01/a-spectrum-of-disorders.html

The inter-connectivity of this stuff is finally forcing Congress to confront the consequences of underfunding "obscure" maladies' research.

- Dave

[ChazII]

10. Thanks for the heads up.

To be honest, I spend my time writing the critters in congress to up the funds back to $17 million for NF research. You're correct about the funding for studies of other disorders helping all of us out. I am going to be flammed but there are some other illnesses that can take a cut for the next few years imho.

[CorpGovActivist]

11. Co-Opt "Popular" Disease Funding...

... by seeking jointly-funded grants and appropriations, to explore the inter-reletationship between the lesser-known malady, and the more "popular to fund" one.

; )

Works like a charm.

- Dave