darragh@calgary.UUCP (02/23/87)
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Rick Hansen's Man In Motion Tour is in Calgary this week appealing for
money for "spinal cord research". However, we have yet to see anything
concrete about how they plan to spend the money they raise. As a volunteer
advocate of spinal cord cure research, I have to wonder what effect the Hansen
Tour will ultimately have on the quest for cure.
The Man In Motion Tour has said that some of the money they raise will go
to unspecified "research", some to rehabilitation and some to disabled sports.
However, they have no track record in spinal cord research and have no
apparent research program in place. The Man In Motion organization's
vagueness and apparent lack of commitment to specify fund utilization raises
questions about what the true benefits for spinal cord research will be.
I believe that the Canadian public expects to see a good portion of the
Hansen money directed toward cure oriented "spinal cord research". If the
Hansen legacy fails to support cure research, it could discredit the cause of
cure and do more harm than good. Since Canadians have given nearly all of the
money raised, and since our politicians have seen fit to donate our tax
dollars to the Hansen cause, I believe we have an obligation to (1) inquire
about where the money is going, (2) determine precisely how it will be spent,
and (3) suggest some alternatives.
The Hansen money will apparently be handled by a somewhat secretive
trust; only a portion of the interest income generated by the trust will be
spent on research. In my view, tying up scarce research money in a trust fund
is not the best way to encourage research progress. Recent spinal cord cure
research findings have been extremely encouraging and should be pursued
aggressively -- now. Moreover, supporting successful research attracts
further funding and creates a snowball effect, stimulating competition and
accelerating research progress.
Perhaps one of the most cost-effective things that the The Man in Motion
Tour could do for cure is to offer a major cash prize for the first scientist
or group of scientists to devise a reproducible, safe and consistent cure for
complete chronic paralysis due to spinal cord injury. By offering a million
dollar Hansen Prize, the Hansen legacy could have a decided impact on
developing a cure.
John J. Darragh,
Calgary