Life Extension Society 990 N. Powhatan St. Arlington VA 22205 703-534-7277 ==================================================================== 1995 No. 2 LIFE EXTENSION SOCIETY NEWS April, 1995 ==================================================================== LES To Host Open House in Philadelphia LES will host an open house in Philadelphia, PA on Saturday, May 13, 1995, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the William Jeanes Memorial Library, 4051 Joshua Road, Lafayette Hill, PA. The only formal part of the meeting is from 2:30 to 3:30, when LES President Mark Mugler and a leading cryobiologist and anti-aging researcher will provide an overview of life extension, the science behind cryonics, and LES activities. Munchies, refreshments, and a variety of literature will be available. A car pool for Washington-area members will leave from White Flint Mall (western parking lot) at 11:00. Call Mark Mugler at 703-534-7277 for information. LES, CSNY Hold Elections LES members met on February 5, 1995 to enjoy a pot luck supper and elect the 1995 Board. Five 1994 Board members were re-elected: Mark Mugler (Arlington, VA), Joel Finkleman (Silver Spring, MD), Mike Miller (Baltimore, MD), Austin Esfandiary (College Park, MD), and Greg F*hy (Gaithersburg, MD). The two new members are Keith Lynch (Vienna, VA) and Guy G*pson (Conshohocken, PA). They replace two 1994 Board members -- Cleve Lunsford and Nooshin F*hy -- who had resigned from the Board effective with the end of their terms. Cryonics Society of New York (CSNY) members met on February 19, 1995 to elect officers for 1995. Curtis Henderson, Stanley Gerber, and Janet Pinckney were re-elected as President, Vice President, and Secretary, respectively. Mike Paulle was elected as Treasurer. He replaces Gerry Arthus, who is moving to Utah this summer. Negotiations for LES Stabilization Kit Called Off LES has called off negotiations with national cryonics organizations to finance acquisition and upkeep of a cryonic "stabilization" (CPR-phase) kit serving the Washington-Baltimore-Philadelphia region. The negotiations fell through when it became clear that BioPreservation, Inc., which would have provided the equipment, is satisfied with its existing arrangements in the New York area, where most mid-Atlantic cryonicists are located. The Cryonics Society of New York currently maintains CPR-phase stabilization equipment, and BioPreservation has arranged for a New Jersey mortician to house "total body washout" equipment and supplies. See "CSNY To Upgrade Equipment" and "Cryonic Resources in the Mid-Atlantic" in this issue. The goal of providing quality cryonics services to LES members who de-animate unexpectedly will be met later rather than sooner. Henceforth, LES will adopt a more conservative, long-term strategy to acquire a rapid-response cryonic stabilization capability. The strategy has two parts. First, LES will continue to expand its membership in order to attain a "critical mass" that can provide the dollars and manpower to support a rapid-response capability. Second, along the way LES will set aside a portion of each member's annual dues to accumulate the funds needed to obtain equipment and training. Contact Mark Mugler at the address below with information on upcoming meetings and recent events. Upcoming Meetings & Events Philadelphia, PA, May 13 -- LES open house. See "LES To Host Open House in Philadelphia." Washington, DC, May 26-29 -- Disclave, annual science fiction convention. Charles Sheffield, who has written science fiction stories based on cryonics, is guest of honor. LES Board member Keith Lynch will attend. Info: Disclave '95, Box 368, Gaithersburg, MD 20884; e-mail disclave95@aol.com. Rockville, MD, June 11 -- LES meeting, 3:00 PM, at Exhibits, Inc., 4929 Wyaconda Rd. Call 703-534-7277 to confirm date. New York, NY, June 18 -- Cryonics Society of New York bi-monthly meeting, 2:00 PM. Call 212-832-2802 for location of meeting. Nearly 70 Mid-Atlantic Cryonicists Signed Up As of this writing, nearly 70 cryonicists in the Mid-Atlantic region (Virginia and states to the north) have signed up for cryogenic preservation upon their de-animation. The state-by-state count is as follows: Connecticut 2 Maine 2 Massachusetts 5 Maryland 4 New Jersey 6 New York 40 Pennsylvania 4 Vermont 1 Virginia 4 Nearly 20 more are in the signup process. CSNY To Upgrade Equipment Cryonic stabilization equipment is needed in the "CPR phase" of cryonic suspension to protect and stabilize de-animated members in preparation for "total body washout." The equipment now in the possession of the Cryonics Society of New York has been used in a number of stabilizations in recent years. Upgrading the equipment was the principal topic of discussion at the April 16 meeting of CSNY. Charles Platt is procuring a new portable ice bath. Gerry Arthus and Curtis Henderson are inventorying existing equipment and supplies. Courtney Smith is pursuing obtaining 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status to enable the donation of equipment by other tax-exempt organizations. Cryonic Resources in the Mid-Atlantic When a mid-Atlantic cryonicist goes down, the mobile team of the national organization of which he or she is a client or member provides on-site CPR-phase stabilization, followed by total body washout and low-temperature storage. Local resources enhance the cryonicist's chances of receiving prompt, quality initial stabilization. Here are the people and equipment that are available to help when someone goes down in the mid-Atlantic region. More details will be provided in a future issue of the LES News. o One physician in Baltimore. o One paramedic in Pittsburgh. o Two Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's) in New York City. o One former EMT in Maryland. o Four persons in New York City certified by the ALCOR Foundation. o Two additional persons in Maryland and New York City with experience and training in cryonic suspensions. o CPR-phase equipment in New York City (See "CSNY To Upgrade Equipment"). o A cooperative mortician in New Jersey who will soon have total body washout equipment on site. o A potentially cooperative mortician in Maryland. Life Extension Society 990 N. Powhatan St. Arlington VA 22205 703-534-7277