MMRL articles

Below are two letters written by RW Ronald Kamp, Director of Development and Communications, Masonic Medical Research Laboratory. The second appeared in the Observer Dispatch on October 12, 2009.

Masons help change the face of medicine

I read with great interest the front page article on Freemasonry in yesterday’s paper by Gary Stern. The article briefly touched on Masonic philanthropy but did not mention one of the crown jewels of Masonic Philanthropy, the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory (MMRL) in Utica, NY. From humble beginnings, the MMRL has grown steadily and significantly in size and international standing as a cardiology research institute.

The Laboratory has been instrumental in generating new heart medications, life-saving technologies, development of diagnostic procedures and therapeutic modalities for the management of cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death syndrome, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). These achievements have contributed immeasurably to a reduction in mortality from heart disease.

Our life-saving cardiac research is truly international in scope and benefit. Your readers may be particularly interested to know that for its size, there is no other Laboratory whose cutting edge research is as productive and influential in the field of experimental cardiology. The MMRL has rapidly becoming an international center for genetic screening of cardiac diseases, especially those involving cardiac arrhythmias. The MMRL is also leading the way in the development of innovative and effective pharmacologic treatment for atrial fibrillation. We most recently embarked on an exciting aspect of stem cell research known as iPS. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) are somatic (not egg or sperm) cells that are directed to dedifferentiate into stem cells and then redirected toward a specific cell type. We will be inaugurating a technology that has the ability to isolate fibroblasts from the skin on the surface of the body and produce stem cells that can be redirected to form mature heart cells, which can be used to heal injured hearts or to create models of cardiac disease that can be helpful in the design and discovery of novel drug treatments and cures.

The MMRL receives support form the NIH, AHA and local foundations. A critically important component of our support derives from indivdual donations as well as bequests from Masons and the general public. We are proud that 84 cents of every dollar donated goes to our heart research. We invite your readers to visit www.mmrl.edu to learn more or call 315.735.2217, ext 110 to arrange a group tour of our institute.

Investment in Medical Research Saves Lives and Money

Healthcare and its ever-rising cost have monopolized the attention of Americans in recent months. Everyone has an opinion as to what needs to be done. Yet few are talking about the most cost-effective, time saving and proven life saving investment, an investment in medical research.

Every cure and treatment has its roots in basic biomedical research. Most of us expect our physicians and nurses to have the tools, techniques and diagnostic equipment as well as the knowledge to save a life or restore quality of life when needed, but give little consideration as to where these innovations arise. The country’s health depends upon discoveries that emanate from research institutes like the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory (MMRL). Former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop said it best, “Insufficient medical research can be hazardous to your health.”

The MMRL has grown steadily and significantly in size and international reputation over the past 50 years. Few institutes have been as progressive, productive or influential in the field of experimental cardiology. We are proud that 84 cents of every dollar donated goes to heart research and 100% stays local. We invite you to visit www.mmrl.edu to learn more or call 315.735.2217, ext 110 to arrange a group tour.

Ronald P. Kamp
Director of Development
and Communications
Masonic Medical Research Laboratory
2150 Bleecker Street
Utica, NY 13501
315.735.2217, xt 127