We live in a time when the words impossible and unsolvable are no longer a part of the scientific community's vocabulary. Each day we move closer to trials that will not just minimize the symptoms of disease and injury but eliminate them. You have heard from the Directors of the NIH [National Institute of Health] over the past few weeks of new medical interventions that will end epilepsy, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, the devastating effects of stroke, chronic pain, organ rejection after transplantation. You have listened as the directors have outlined the details of an HIV vaccine, dramatic improvements in the effective treatment of drug addiction, mouse models that accurately reproduce human cancers in order to permit early detection and interventions, and of course, the miraculous mapping and sequencing of the human genome which is already changing the world of medicine and medical research. The rapid pace of these advances is occurring because you, the Congress of the United States and our President had the vision in 1998 to increase funding for the NIH by 15%. This momentum must not be slowed.

Though our government may operate on a budget that is decided from year to year, our scientists cannot. New scientific initiatives, experiments, and laboratories across the United States, once nurtured and financed, operate on 2 and 3 and 4 year plans. We must not fund our scientists who have the potential to alleviate enormous suffering without giving them the assurance that we will not put on the brakes and stop the flow of dollars that will make their progress possible.

We’re not content to wait for governmental bodies. The mission of Golfers Against Cancer and similar organizations is to speed the search for a cure, through direct contributions to renowned cancer research institutions such as the Winship Cancer Institute. GAC, in fact, has helped fund studies similar to what Reeve referred to in his testimony.

Moreover, there is no thick administrative sieve which snags a tidy portion of contributed dollars. GAC is just a committed band of volunteers who hate cancer. More dollars, consequently, get applied directly to targeted research projects.

When you read, therefore, that John O’Hurley has won $300,000 for GAC in a charity golf tournament, this sum goes a long way in effort to fund groundbreaking cancer-fighting research.

Moreover, because of our low costs and targeted projects, even much smaller sums go a long way. It’s a good thing, because I’ll never beat Anika Sörenstam in a charity golf tournament.

Please consider the offer I made a week ago, one which several generous friends have taken us up on. If you’ll send a check for $250 or more for GAC, I’ll send you your choice of one of my recommended books in "Tidbits," which you can find on the main page, or John O’Hurley’s new CD. True to our commitment to keeping administrative costs down, I’ll have your choice sent to you; GAC won’t have anything to do with it.

We’ve already received generous and gratifying support, which heartens us deeply and leaves us profoundly grateful. Thanks are also due to those of you considering supporting this cause.

With your help, the time will come when cancer will be only a bitter memory, and Christopher Reeve’s prophetic words will be fully realized. That day, my friends, is closer than you may realize.