New Yorkers for the Advancement of Medical Research

About NYAMR

• Leadership and member organizations
• Contact information

NYAMR (New Yorkers for the Advancement of Medical Research) is a coalition of 46 scientific, health advocacy, and citizens' organizations with a single purpose: to support state funding for regenerative medicine, including research involving human embryonic stem cells.

A statewide coalition, NYAMR was founded in 2003 as an offshoot of the national stem-cell advocacy organization, the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR). What began as a small group of individuals from the Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF), Hadassah, Columbia University, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and Community Health Charities has rapidly grown in size and influence to become the preeminent lobbying organization for stem-cell research in the state.

Over the last four years, NYAMR has been instrumental in educating the New York State Senate and Assembly about the importance of funding stem-cell research. This funding is essential if New York is to remain on the cutting edge of medical research and if our scientists are to find cures for the debilitating diseases and life-threatening conditions afflicting millions of Americans.

This year, not only did NYAMR consult directly with Albany lawmakers as they crafted the very legislation that passed on April 1st, but we have also been active in the establishment of the newly announced Funding and Ethics Boards. Robin Elliott, co-founder and Chairman of NYAMR and Executive Director of PDF, was nominated by the Governor to serve on the Funding Board. It is clear that NYAMR is valued by the Executive Chamber, the Senate, and the Assembly for our expertise in the science of stem cells, the ethical concerns this research raises, and the need to act quickly on this issue.

NYAMR see this program as an 11-year investment by the State to support stem-cell research, and we will work diligently to make certain that the appropriation comes in at the promised amount each year. We remain committed to this issue and will work in the coming years to ensure that the New York State Program is handled efficiently and ethically, and that it funds only the most meritorious research.