X-Message-Number: 753 Subject: CRYONICS ACS Feb Meeting Reports From: (Edgar W. Swank) Date: Sat, 18 Apr 92 18:25:19 PDT Meeting Report of the American Cryonics Society General Election and Membership Meeting February 2, 1992 15045 Herring Ave. San Jose, CA Welcome Dr. Avi Ben-Abraham President of the American Cryonics Society welcomed members to the 23rd annual membership meeting of the American Cryonics Society. Election of Governors The following members were elected as governors of the American Cryonics Society and at the Board of Governors meeting were elected to the offices indicated. Avi Ben-Abraham, M.D., President Carmen Brewer, Secretary Kent Cullers, Ph.D. John Day Dick Marsh, Ph.D. Jerry White, Treasurer Jim Yount, Vice President Members' Forum There was a discussion on providing suspension options to ACS members through the Cryonics Institute. A proposed contract between the American Cryonics Society and the Cryonics Institute will be submitted to governors in early 1992. The substantive issues for this contract have already been agreed upon. Our participation in resent suspensions was discussed. It was generally agreed that ACS volunteers performed a function in suspensions which could not be easily filled by paid workers from contract suspension companies. Closing and Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at approximately 2:40 p.m. Jim Yount Acting Secretary ...................................................... Report of the Meeting of the American Cryonics Society Board of Governors February 2, 1992 15045 Herring Ave. San Jose, CA 95124 The meeting was called to order by President Avi Ben-Abraham, M.D. at 2:45 p.m. Dr. Ben-Abraham welcomed members and guests. Governors Present Governors Absent Avi Ben-Abraham, M.D. Dick Marsh, Ph.D. Kent Cullers, Ph.D. Carmen Brewer Jerry White John Day Jim Yount Election of Officers After a brief discussion concerning which of our Governors could best serve in various offices, Jerry White nominated the following people to serve in the offices indicated: Avi Ben-Abraham, President; Carmen Brewer, Secretary; Jerry White, Treasurer; Jim Yount, Vice President. There were no other nominations. The slate was approved unanimously. With unanimous consent of all Governors, Dr. Ben-Abraham appointed Dr. Richard Marsh as Chairman of the Society and John Day as Technical Coordinator. There was discussion on an appointment for Dr. Kent Cullers. Kent has a strong technical background in several areas of importance to ACS. It was decided to consult with Kent before appointing him to a position. Approval of Agenda The agenda was approved as presented. Improving Data Management Crystal Love spoke briefly concerning her recommendations that ACS install a computer data management system based upon Paradox. The management system would include accounting as well as other elements needed for small business management. Jim Yount said we had received demonstration disks and a user's manual for not-for-profit fund accounting which is sold by Executive Data Systems, Inc. We have not yet evaluated this system. Anatomical Donation Jerry White gave a full report on the recent ACS suspension and Trans Time storage of the brain of his mother. Jerry is preparing an article on this subject which will appear in an upcoming issue of The Immortalist. The full details of this suspension will not be presented in the minutes. The brain is now being maintained with liquid nitrogen at the Trans Time facility in Oakland. Jerry passed around a copy of the program for his mother's memorial service at which time he discussed the suspension of his mother's brain with family and friends. He showed us the types of containers which were used to hold the brain and tissue samples and discussed this packaging. He had a plaque prepared, which was inscribed with pertinent data concerning his mother, affixed to the metal brain container. This is the first time a family member has chosen this option and then implemented the freezing of the brain of a loved-one. There was much discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of this form of suspension. Jerry thanked the many people who helped him in his time of need. Jim Yount assisted in all phases of the suspension. John Day fabricated a special temperature chest for dry ice storage and worked with Jerry to design the container for the brain. Many other people gave him advice and assistance. He discussed the cooperation he and Jim had received from both local funeral directors, who provided perfusion facilities, and a local pathologist, who removed the brain and tissue samples. Jerry believes the use of such local personnel could help keep the costs down for this kind of service. After the brain was removed it was placed into a plastic container which Jerry found in his mother's kitchen. Jerry mused on the fact that when his mother bought the food container she could not possibly have imagined its ultimate use! Apart from the fact that such suspension is cheaper than either whole body or head-only, Jerry pointed out that it was possible to get some level of additional cryoprotection by immersing the brain directly into cryoprotective solution. Another advantage is that it is possible to have a funeral, even with the body on display, after a brain-only suspension. Suspension Supplies Jerry said he was not expecting his mother to deanimate as soon as she did and had not brought all suspension supplies with him. He had a bag resuscitater, heparin, and a small quantity of lactated Ringer's solution. He used the heparin and Ringer's to keep the circulatory system open. Other supplies were brought from Trans Time by Jim Yount but did not arrive until several hours after death. Jerry suggested that ACS have on hand enough supplies to perform a suspension so it is not necessary to obtain them from Trans Time at the last minute. Jerry suggested a supply of lactated Ringer's as well as the suspension solutions prepared by Bio-Time be kept by ACS at a south-bay location. He offered to work out some form of financial assistance whereby he would help ACS to purchase and store these supplies. The Bio-Time solution could be kept frozen and used as needed. Publicity Avi reported that ACS had recently had extensive publicity locally and in other parts of the country. On December 29, 1991 a story featuring Avi and ACS appeared on the front page of the Palo Alto Times Tribune newspaper. The story was put out on a wire service and reprinted in many parts of the country. We know it was published in Arizona, Washington, and in North Carolina (The Charlotte Observer). We received many phone calls as a result, and several people have enrolled as associate members. Dan Migliore, a DeAnza College student, has started working in our office as a volunteer. He became interested after reading the article in the Palo Alto Times Tribune. Avi was interviewed by KVI radio in Seattle. He was also interviewed for a Canadian network show called The World Tonight. We have been contacted by the BBC who are doing another show on cryonics. An ABC television station in Phoenix Arizona is planning to send a crew to the Bay Area in the near future to interview Avi and do a cryonics story. Facility Purchase Report A group of cryonics investors are purchasing a 37,000 square foot building on 2.2 acres in Sunnyvale. They expect the building to be the new headquarters of ACS and possibly Trans Time as well. Because of the length of the topic it was deferred until after the meeting. There is a report, along with pictures, in the February Immortalist. Persons wanting additional information on this topic should contact Carmen Brewer at 408 559-3596, 15045 Herring Ave., San Jose, CA 95124. Medic Alert Bracelets Pacific Bell has changed the area code number for one of the telephone numbers which appear on the back of the medic alert bracelets which ACS members wear. The bracelet gives brief emergency suspension instructions and directs readers to call the numbers. The Medic Alert bracelets are issued as part of the Emergency Responsibility offered to our members by Trans Time. Trans Time has recently sent out new Medic Alert applications to ACS members who are subscribing to its ER service (by paying Trans Time an additional $96.00 per year). We have a number of members who have not elected to subscribe to the Trans Time service. ACS is now evaluating the emergency notification services available through medic alert and other providers to establish our own notification service. Jim Yount reported receiving literature and samples from a New York service organization and information from Medic Alert in Turlock, California. He has also had discussions with Robert Ettinger of the Cryonics Institute concerning offering a notification service to CI as well as ACS members. Suspension of AIDS Patients One ACS member has AIDS and has selected neuro freezing (head only) as his suspension option. It was reported that Trans Time returned the ER payment to this member. The member called Trans Time and asked for an explanation. Art Quaife told him that there was enough doubt that Trans Time could and would perform a neuro suspension with an AIDS patient that he felt Trans Time should not be taking money from him for ER. Art explained that Trans Time is trying to make arrangements with a local hospital for such suspensions but does not now have these arrangements in place. Concerns for protecting the health of suspension personnel and the unwillingness of some members of the team to participate in such a suspension were cited by Art as reasons for Trans Time declining to offer ER to AIDS patients who have selected neuro. Jerry White pointed out that there are services Trans Time can offer, even if they are not willing to commit to offering complete suspension to AIDS patients who have selected neuro. Emergency rescue, resuscitation, cooling, and transport, were mentioned as services Trans Time could perform. ACS or others could perform other suspension services. Avi pointed out the need to have a plan in place for dealing with such patients. He talked about the general need of ACS, Trans Time, and other organizations, to have a number of surgeons and other specialists available as well as additional locations where suspensions could be carried out. Avi reported on discussions with several surgeons. He felt one or more would agree to participate. Next meetings The Trans Time Board of Directors meets on the same day and place as ACS either before or after our meetings. All members and guests are welcome to the buffet between meetings and to attend Trans Time Board meetings. The next meetings of the American Cryonics Society are: Sunday, March 1, at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, March 26, at 1:00 p.m. The Home of The Home of Hal Sternberg Dick Marsh 1735 Spruce Street, Apt. 4 65 Cleary Court #9 Berkeley, CA 94709 San Francisco, CA 94109 (510) 845-9921 (415) 922-3682 Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at approximately 5:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Carmen Brewer Secretary -- (Edgar W. Swank) SPECTROX SYSTEMS +1.408.252.1005 Silicon Valley, Ca Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=753