The Lesson of Christopher Reeve: Life Is Always Precious

October 13, 2004 - 12:00 PDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Catholic PRWire

October 13, 2004

The Lesson of Christopher Reeve: Life is Always Precious

Catholic Outreach joins in prayer over the tragic loss of Christopher Reeve, a talented entertainer. His life has been an example of courage, fortitude and perseverance while coping with his disability and he serves as a witness to all of us who struggle with pain and suffering. He will be missed and remembered as a hero and advocate. Our heartfelt condolences are extended to his equally courageous family and friends who traveled this journey with him over the last nine years. May they be sustained in faith and hope in these difficult days.

It is important that this loss not serve as a vehicle for the dissemination of inaccurate information about stem cell research. Embryonic stem cell research is a largely speculative project at this time, notwithstanding massive publicity efforts which attempt to portray the project as a nearly sure bet. Further, and most importantly, embryonic stem cell research requires the destruction of embryonic humans at their earliest and most vulnerable stages.

One of the great tragedies of Christopher Reeve's disability is that throughout his struggle, he was led to believe that he could expect a cure using embryonic stem cells. Christopher Reeve was not benefiting in any way from embryonic stem cells during the course of his treatments and therapies. Thousands of people have been cured of diseases using adult stem cells, which pose no threat to human life. No person has been cured or even close to being cured using stem cells derived from destroyed embryos, in essence an aborted child.

To date, several persons with paralysis, like Christopher Reeve, have received successful treatment through therapies using adult stem cells. One 18 year old paraplegic from a car accident has received special cells from the olfactory tissue of her own nose to treat her condition. She is beginning to recover significant movement in her formerly completely paralyzed legs. Catholic Outreach anxiously wants you to know these facts. Knowing and understanding the facts will lead to more successful cures in the future because time, money and research will be appropriately channeled and not misdirected. In the coming days and weeks, you will undoubtedly engage in conversations about this very topic. You must know the facts.

Father Tad Pacholczyk of the National Catholic Bioethics Center breaks open the subject of stem cell research and human cloning in our book, The Five Issues That Matter Most. As an expert neuroscientist and bioethicist, he cuts through the media-driven distortions and presents the scientific and spiritual truths that every Catholic American should understand.

The tragic and sudden death of Christopher Reeve teaches us the foundational truth which forms the basis of our objection to destructive embryonic stem cell research -- that life is always precious. Learn the truth, get the facts and make the case for ethical stem cell research.

Questions for Fr. Tad

- What is the difference between embryonic and adult stem cells?

- Could Christopher Reeve have been cured using embryonic stem cells?

- How many people have been treated and/or cured using adult stem cell therapies?

- Why are adult stem cells preferable to embryonic stem cells?

Credentials: Father Tad Pacholczyk is a neuroscientist and bioethicist. He is the Director of Education for the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia.

Availability: Philadelphia and nationwide via telephone

Contact: Lisa Wheeler 770.509.0531
lisaw@catholicoutreach.com
www.catholicoutreach.com

Contact

Catholic Outreach
http://www.catholicoutreach.com
CA, US
Lisa Wheeler - Media Contact, 770 509.0531

Keywords

stem cell research, cloning, Christopher Reeve, paralysis, voting, election, disability, embryonic s

Category

Catholic Organizations

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 7,176

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

When Pope Francis Arrives in North America, There is Only One Network to Watch: EWTN Global Catholic
EWTN Global Catholic Network
September 16, 2015 - 5:17 PDT

GHIRELLI'S WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES ROSARIES NOW AVAILABLE
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
September 11, 2015 - 11:44 PDT

The Synod on the Family: Addressing the Instrumentum Laboris
Franciscan University of Steubenville
September 11, 2015 - 10:26 PDT

OCP Artist, Pedro Rubalcava, Writes Song for Pope Francis' Visit
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
September 10, 2015 - 2:50 PDT

Pre-Synod Conference unites Cardinals and men and women living with homosexual tendencies
September 09, 2015 - 2:58 PDT

The Rigging of a Vatican Synod
September 02, 2015 - 3:44 PDT

17 Cardinals and Counting
August 31, 2015 - 3:38 PDT

19th Annual Carnival Announced for St. Ann's Parish
August 28, 2015 - 9:20 PDT

The John Paul II International Film Festival Marks Its Five-Year Anniversary
August 27, 2015 - 6:09 PDT

OCP Pledges to Support the V Encuentro
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 27, 2015 - 2:51 PDT

Thu, Sept 24, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Angelos Sebastian Our Lady of Grace Catholic Chu
August 26, 2015 - 4:03 PDT

Grief, Death, Eternal Life Explored in New Catholic Title by PBM
Pauline Books & Media
August 25, 2015 - 3:55 PDT

How do we live the truth in love when the culture says we're haters?
August 25, 2015 - 9:52 PDT

Right Next to Disneyland: Theater Meets Faith
Saint Luke Productions
August 19, 2015 - 1:29 PDT

OCP Parish Grant Program to Distribute $200,000 to U.S. Parishes
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 18, 2015 - 1:23 PDT

Franciscan University Joins With UK School to Offer Online Master of Catechetics Degree
Franciscan University of Steubenville
August 05, 2015 - 2:20 PDT

CONOR GALLAGHER NAMED PUBLISHER OF TAN BOOKS AND SAINT BENEDICT PRESS
Saint Benedict Press & TAN Books
July 20, 2015 - 12:49 PDT

Thérèse Drama Surprises Audiences
Saint Luke Productions
July 16, 2015 - 12:35 PDT

Catholic Press Association Honors Liguori
Liguori Publications
July 10, 2015 - 8:29 PDT

Crosier Order elects master general and councilors
June 26, 2015 - 2:06 PDT

World Library Publications Honored With Three Paul Revere Awards
World Library Publications
June 23, 2015 - 4:11 PDT

Indie Catholic Authors June Ebook Sale Offers the Faithful 17 Books Outside the Mainstream
Four Waters press
June 23, 2015 - 12:10 PDT

Limitless Love in Action: First Steubenville Youth Conference Inspires Teens to Bring the Fire Home
Franciscan University of Steubenville
June 18, 2015 - 2:03 PDT

Franciscan University of Steubenville Athletic Director Enshrined in Sports Faith Hall of Fame
Franciscan University of Steubenville
May 29, 2015 - 1:53 PDT

AWARD-WINNING CATHOLIC AUTHORS TEAM-UP TO PROMOTE HEALING THROUGH FORGIVENESS
Pauline Books & Media
May 27, 2015 - 12:32 PDT

NY CONCERT FOR NEPAL 5/31
May 27, 2015 - 1:22 PDT

Who's responsible for designing the designer?
May 19, 2015 - 11:12 PDT

Thu, Jun 11, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Bill Adams at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
May 13, 2015 - 4:21 PDT

Your search for true happiness is over
May 05, 2015 - 1:22 PDT

ValLimar Jansen's latest album "a soulful experience"
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
April 30, 2015 - 1:33 PDT

Uncovering the roots (and branches) of the greatest revolution in the American Catholic Church
April 28, 2015 - 9:45 PDT

NYC May 8, 2015 Spring Fling Catholic Singles Mingle Fundraiser
The Catholic Fellowship
April 18, 2015 - 9:07 PDT

Thank A Nun Day
Image Books/Random House
April 15, 2015 - 12:32 PDT

#TweetingwGod dares young people to believe
April 14, 2015 - 9:54 PDT

Experience Beloved: Finding happiness in marriage
April 13, 2015 - 1:27 PDT

Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts to participate in 'Beloved' telepress conference
April 07, 2015 - 4:51 PDT

Nobis Media, Marketing & Web Development Company
April 01, 2015 - 5:49 PDT

Catholic toymaker puts Faith in hands and mouths of babies: Pope Francis doll added to line of toys
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
April 01, 2015 - 3:48 PDT

Concert Series Concludes with Winthrop University World Percussion Ensemble
April 01, 2015 - 2:48 PDT

Birth Choice Health Clinics Announces Transition to Obria Medical Clinics and Plans for Expansion
March 28, 2015 - 10:43 PDT

OCP releases expanded edition of Mass of the Sacred Heart
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 24, 2015 - 4:43 PDT

Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts participate in 'Beloved' tele-press conference
March 21, 2015 - 11:57 PDT

Priest and Seminarian Join National Three-Point Contest to Benefit Marriage Ministry
Paradisus Dei
March 13, 2015 - 10:20 PDT

Shroud of Turin Exhibit At Holy Spirit Brighton
Holy Spirit Catholic Church and School
March 12, 2015 - 3:58 PDT

Flor y Canto campaign invites the Hispanic community to share their stories
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 11, 2015 - 4:40 PDT

Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 10, 2015 - 6:36 PDT

Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 09, 2015 - 7:04 PDT

Join RealOptions 2015 Walk for Life and 5K Run!
RealOptions Pregnancy Medical Clinics
March 09, 2015 - 2:40 PDT

New Orchestra Comes to Mary's Nativity Church
March 09, 2015 - 12:06 PDT

Paradisus Dei Offers New Marriage Program to Churches at No Cost
Paradisus Dei
March 05, 2015 - 6:25 PST

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »