Posted by Sandra Silvestri on June 04, 1999 at 21:05:35:
In Reply to: Re: anti-cd40L/anti cd154 posted by Camillo Ricordi on June 04, 1999 at 19:55:07:
Therese:
Thank you for sharing this amazing post with the forum.
I'm a tad embarrassed, definitely humbled, and most assuredly moved by Dr. Ricordi's comments. I share my inner most feelings here sometimes because I think it is important for us all to tell the truth and to be vulnerable in order to capture the full impact of diabetes and also so that we will see that we are not alone in our fears. Iam becoming known as a public cryer and sometimes this is a difficult role to play even if it is not planned on my part. But knowing that the men and women at DRI and many other fine institutions allow themselves to hear and see my tears and that they share my urgency instills courage in me to keep on going.
I am presently at the JDF conference in San Francisco where I attended several research panels given by distinguised scientists in the fields of complication and islet transplantation research. Dr. Hering and Dr. Newgard were among the presenters. Dr. Hering referred to DRI's work with great enthusiasm, passion, and downright excitement. I wish I could have had you all in my pocket so that you could share in this feeling.
This may not be "The Call" that all the mommies, daddies and patients wait for but I have the strong feeling that it is one of the more important steps along the path to the cure. And we all owe Dr. Ricordi, Dr. Kenyon, Dr. Harlan and all the other incredible researchers our gratitude for staying on task and leading the way.
Also.... we seldom hug and kiss around TIF but I do want to send some thanks to everyone here (Like Therese, Sandy, and Robin) who overcome their fear, pick up the phone and make the calls or send the emails and then bring it back to all of us here. It's a strange band of vigiliantes but a blessed one nonetheless.
Sandra