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Senator Corzine: A NJ Resident Offers a Very Personal "Thank You"

Everyone, I wanted to share this particularly poignant thank-you letter to Senator Jon Corzine from Marlene Welte Fraehmke, a New Jersey resident who is living with (and fighting) ALS.   Please read Marlene's letter, please visit her site (www.MarlenesAngels.org), and pass this on to anyone you know.  This is what the stem cell fight is all about. 

This is especially personal for me as well, since Marlene's husband Tom was one of my best friends when I was a kid.  There are about a million memories I could share of the 25 years we've known each other, but all of us who knew Tom then remember one thing for sure: Tom was by far the biggest kid in the class (nearly 6'10" by the time he graduated) -- and also (fortunately for the rest of us) the nicest.  I literally can't remember a single time when he was mean to anyone -- but I can remember countless times when he went out of his way to be nice, to help someone out, to just be the kind of person you're proud to call a friend.

I was thrilled at our 10th year high school reunion when I met Marlene.  They'd just become engaged, and it was clear Tom had met his perfect match.  By our 20th reunion, however, I was devastated to hear that Marlene had been diagnosed with ALS.  But after about 5 minutes of talking with her, the devastation turned to inspiration.  Tom and Marlene were fighting back -- and fighting back hard. They were telling their story, and they were fighting for stem cell research.   

Please read Marlene's letter, please visit her site (www.MarlenesAngels.org), and pass this on to anyone you know.  This is what the stem cell fight is all about. 

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My name is Marlene Welte Fraehmke; I am 40 years old, a mother of a 4-year-old boy, a wife, a daughter, a sister, an Aunt and an ALS patient.  For those who do not know, ALS (also called "Lou Gehrig's Disease") is a neuro-muscular disease where simply the nerves die and the muscle wastes away.  It is a disease that can strike anyone at any time.  There is no known cause and no cure.  Most patients survive 3 -5 years from the time they were diagnosed. 

I was diagnosed in April 2004.  When I received my diagnosis I was in the prime of my life.  I then started noticing strength changes in my fingers and toes. After months of medical testing, all other diseases were ruled out.  Being diagnosed with ALS is like getting a death sentence - always wondering which muscle is going to die next and doing your best to prepare for the days to come.  It has taken me a while, but I have learned to live with my disabilities, though I will never accept my diagnosis.  I still walk but with assistance and when I am outside I can be seen on my three-wheel scooter.  My falls have become more regular and I have started looking into motorized wheelchairs.  I am determined to beat this.  I have to, I am a mother!

There is little available in terms of medical treatment.  Scientists are actively looking for a cause and cure.  Embryonic stem cell research gives me hope in a time when there is little else.  Like everyone else, I cannot guarantee that this is going to be my answer to survival but I do know that it gives patients hope.  Only good came come from this.

Last year, I was a guest on the Jane Pauley show, asking her for help in documenting my life for my son.  My dream is to personally give my son these tapes when he is a young adult and say I did this for you. 

I would like to thank my Senator, Jon Corzine, for his strong and honest leadership in stem cell research and I will welcome him as my Governor.

Thank you for reading my story.

In Friendship,

Marlene W. Fraehmke

John Hlinko @ 05:50 AM
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