by Virginia

RESEARCH AID AGAIN

In both Nos. 79 and 80 I mentioned the research I have undertaken with Dr. Bentler of UCLA and our need for help in financing it. I reported in No. 80 that $160 had been donated and asked for more support. Noth- ing happened. Now I know that times are difficult for all of us. Some of you readers are just squeaking by and I could hardly expect you to make research donations. However I know for a fact that we have quite a num- ber of readers who are pretty well off and who wouldn't miss $50 or even $100. So I have concluded that perhaps there is a misunderstanding involved.

Because I indicated the research dealt with TSs perhaps some poten- tial donors got the idea that I was doing the research on TSs and FOR aid to the TS cause. This is exactly opposite from the facts. I have to do the research ON TSS but FOR FPs. That is because great numbers of those going thru surgery are really FPs and are simply misguided in seeking surgery as the answer to their problems. My hope is to get enough infor- mation from those who have gone the surgical route that some conclu- sions can be reached which can serve as a warning to potential operation candidates to stop, look and listen before crossing the tracks.

To do this takes some data FROM those who did cross since obviously all my personal efforts and persuasion and education have not proved sufficient- we lose perhaps a dozen a year to the knife. I would like to think that some of those could be saved if more information was available about what lies ahead for them. But I can't do everything alone. For 14 years I carried the ball pretty nearly single handed for all of you. I have a lot of letters of appreciation but for every one expressing her appreciation

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