Tory Williams combats controversy surrounding stem cell therapy with new book

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

10-Sep-2014

Contact: Melanie Scharler 917-340-6492 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News @LiebertOnline

(New Rochelle, New York) September 10, 2014 - Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., leading publisher of over 80 science, technology, and medical publications, announced today the launch of first time hard cover title Inevitable Collision: The Inspiring Story that Brought Stem Cell Research to Conservative America, in an effort to bring awareness to the growing conversation and debate surrounding stem cell research and regenerative medicine.

Written by Tory Williams, author, advocate, mom, and co-founder of the Alabama Institute of Medicine (AIM), Inevitable Collision is a human-interest story that details the controversial Geron Trial, the first human embryonic stem cell trial for patients with paralysis, and thoughtfully documents the first and fifth patients, TJ Atchison and Katie Sharify. The book features provocative conversations with doctors, medical researchers, and scientists including Dr. Hans Keirstead, the famous scientist whose groundbreaking research helped rats to overcome paralysis through stem cell treatments and introduced the therapy to humans, and helps inform the public conversation by presenting the facts and opportunities surrounding stem cell research and therapy.

"Tory's personal journey of advocacy, perseverance, and commitment to the advance-ment of stem cell research and its application is an important and relevant testament to the stem cell conversation at large," said Mary Ann Liebert, president and CEO of the company that bears her name. "Inevitable Collision will strongly resonate with the six million Americans suffering from paralysis, a quarter of which are the result of a spinal cord injury. In a very readable and compelling style, Williams has brought the much needed human voice to the oftentimes controversial and misunderstood topic of stem cell technology. It is an important read for the public, legislators, and patients and their families, as well as for researchers and members of the health care community. This book will make a difference!"

Compared to the narrative and journalistic writing style of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Inevitable Collision explains in reader-friendly terms how stem cells work, and why they are considered important tools in finding a cure for paralysis and other disabilities. The book also details author Tory Williams' physical and emotional struggles while raising funding and public awareness surrounding embryonic stem cell research across the nation.

"Through this book I hope to bridge the gap between science and religion and raise awareness of the importance and power of stem cell research," said Tory Williams. "This book is intended not only for patients who suffer from paralysis and diseases such as cancer and Parkinson's, but for everyone affected by these afflictions, directly and indirectly."

The launch comes on the heels of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine's (CIRM) recent announcement green lighting the follow-up phase to the Geron clinical trial as approved by the FDA.

Inevitable Collision's 208 pages plus 8-page photo spread retails at $21.95 for the hard-back and $9.99 for the e-book and includes an afterword written by Roman Reed, a tire-less patient advocate who was paralyzed from a sports injury 20 years ago. Roman is the Founder of the Roman Reed Foundation and Roman's Law, which was the impetus for California's groundbreaking stem cell program.

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Tory Williams combats controversy surrounding stem cell therapy with new book