Alcor has raised $22,993.78 for its 2006-2007 Matching Grant for Fracture Free Research & Development.

You still have time to help Alcor reach its $25,000 goal before February 28, 2007. Simply print and fill out the online Donation Form, or phone Alcor at 1-877-462-5267 ext. 101 with your credit card. We will do the rest. Contributions up to a total of $25,000 will be matched by our anonymous donor.

As usual, donations are fully tax deductible. This is your opportunity to further Alcor’s goal of improving cryopreservations, while doubling your contribution. Please take the time to pledge your donation today!

There was discussion of the following topics:
– Barry Aarons, Alcor lobbyist, offered his perspective on changes being proposed to the Arizona Uniform Anatomical Gift Act and how they may affect Alcor. He attended a stakeholder meeting and feels Representative Carolyn Allen is supportive of Alcor and is open to suggestions from all stakeholders. He will continue to work with her on any issues in Alcor’s interests.
– Progress is being made on Alcor’s wealth preservation trust, but there are still many issues to be addressed. A completion date has not been established. Several issues requiring more discussion were mentioned with further collaboration to ensue.
– Several membership issues were heard.
No substantive resolutions were passed.

There was discussion of the following topics:
– The board was briefed on the 2007 budget.
– The board was briefed on planning of the 2007 conference, including speakers, catering, location, and the overall agenda.
– The board was informed that membership recruitment efforts are understaffed. Due to this and a downturn in the number of applicants entering the queue, 4.5% – 6 or 7% growth is the expected status quo. It was commented that the growth rate for 2006 (around 3%) was mediocre, but that the average 2005-2006 growth rate was within expectations at 7% per year. There was discussion of a new volunteer that is calling prospects and how to train him, as well as other possible options for using existing Alcor members for recruitment.

Two resolutions were passed:
– Approval of two new hires: Chana Williford, Research Associate, and Randall Fry, Equipment Fabricator
– Slight revision of the mission statement

Ten memberships were approved in December, with seventeen cancellations processed (14 members were cancelled for non-payment of membership fees). The year of 2006 ended with a 3.5% annual growth rate, compared to the 5-year average since 2001 of 8.5%.

2006 FIGURES
Finalizations: 58
Reinstatements: 2
Cancellations: 30
Cryopreservations: 3
Net Gain: 27

Alcor currently has 814 members in 11 countries.

Forty years ago today, January 12, 1967, Dr. James Bedford became the first man to be cryopreserved under controlled conditions in the hope of eventual revival. In a very real way, you can say cryonics itself is forty years old today.

Our website includes more detailed information on Dr. Bedford, and a couple of earlier abortive attempts at human cryopreservation. It makes for fascinating reading. We’ve come a long way since then, but we still have a long way to go.