Parkinson's Research Community Loses "Dear Friends" In Deaths of Senator Wellstone And Family

10/25/2002

From: Bob Klose for the Parkinson's Action Network, 707-824-8332

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 25 -- The Parkinson's Action Network (PAN) and the Parkinson's community mourn the loss of Senator Paul Wellstone (D-MN), his wife Sheila and daughter Marcia, who died today in a place crash near Eveleth, Minnesota.

"Our hearts are broken. This is a huge loss for the Parkinson's community. Senator Wellstone was our fiercest champion. Every time he spoke, he raised our spirits and strengthened our hope," said Joan Samuelson, PAN President.

A cure and better health care for Parkinson's disease was of particular interest for Senator Wellstone, as both of his parents suffered from the disease. Senator Wellstone led the fight on many legislative battles that were important to Parkinson's disease such as stem cell research and access to health care.

Most notably, Senator Wellstone served as the lead Democratic co-sponsor of groundbreaking Parkinson's research legislation, the Morris K Udall Act of 1997. This legislation was the first ever to focus entirely on the need to expand the Parkinson's research program administered by the NIH and called for at least $100 million in Parkinson's-focused research.

"Both Senator Wellstone and his wife Sheila were dear friends of the Parkinson's community. Words cannot describe how saddened we are by this loss. His spirit, wit and strength of character will be remembered. We will be indebted forever to their family for all of his work on behalf of the entire health care community. We send our deepest condolences to his entire family and staff," said Samuelson.

Samuelson is available for further comment via telephone or in person. She can be reached at the PAN office at 800-850-4726 or by leaving a message on her cell phone, 707-291-9876.