Burnt Orange Report

A Personal Message from Alison Bell

By Alison Ayres Bell

[Ed. Note: This is a guest post by Alison Ayres Bell, the wife of Chris Bell. She asked to share her personal story and thoughts on the stem cell research issue with our viewers. -Byron]

Today I wanted to tell you about something that means a great deal to Chris and me. Today the Texas House is considering legislation that would ban stem cell research in our state. This shocks me, not least because Chris and I strongly support research that can lead to groundbreaking cures for diseases. But I have a deeply personal stake in this fight as well.

Last November, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

My doctors tell us that my prognosis is excellent, but any cancer patient will tell you that a good prognosis doesn’t make chemotherapy any less grueling. Surviving this disease is exhausting, painful, and terrifying, but most of all it is revealing because it reveals what you and those around you are really made of.

It’s funny that they call it “standing up” for something, because when I think of Chris’ commitment to helping me beat cancer, I think of him sitting down. Sitting down in the waiting room, holding my hand. Sitting down in the exam room, telling me bad jokes as we wait for the doctor. Sitting next to me in church as we pray for remission. Sitting next to me at the dinner table as we put up a brave front for the boys. And sitting with me in bed when I feel too weak to get up.

We believe there is a life after cancer, and we are trying to live our lives not just one day at a time, but in the hopes that we will have many more days and years after this one. Today, with his love and support, I am going to win this battle. Tomorrow, with Chris as Governor, we are going to win this war by supporting stem cell research that can lead to a cure for cancer and other diseases.

This is why I am supporting Chris as he explores the race for Governor. There is nothing more important in our lives than beating cancer, and there should be nothing more important to our state government than finding ways to ease suffering. Stem cell research should be part of that plan.

Here's what I want you to do. Call the House State Affairs Committee and tell them that Chris and Alison think stem cell research is a good idea. And if they ask “Who are Chris and Alison?” tell them they’re two Texans who are working hand in hand to make the future better.

Sincerely,
Alison Ayres Bell