New movement against research cuts

A movement to prevent budget cuts to medical research in Quebec has begun.

Research centre representatives held a news conference yesterday to announce a campaign against the Parti-Quebecois' decision to cut 10-million-dollars in funding.

A CBC News report calls the campaign “Je Suis Michèle," named after ovarian cancer patient Michèle St-Pierre.

St-Pierre opposes the cuts because research funding has helped her deal with her cancer situation. A specific type of chemotherapy was developed through medical research.

Michèle has been a cancer patient for four years. She will begin her third round of chemotherapy.

Multiple Sclerosis patient Sylvain Plourde says that there will be no hope for people like them if medical research funding is cut.

He says his condition is deteriorating and is hoping that medical research will help find treatments.

A website has also been launched. An online petition has been put out to raise awareness and to encourage site visitors to share stories about the benefits of medical research.

Their symbols used for this campaign are a pink and blue "x" that denotes a bandage.

Flickr Photo by: Alberta Enterprise and Advanced Education

STORY WRITTEN BY: SATURN DE LOS ANGELES