X-Message-Number: 17811 Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2001 10:50:15 -0700 From: Jessica Lemler <> Subject: This Week at Alcor The following can also be veiwed on our website at: <http://www.alcor.org/this_week_at_alcor.html>http://www.alcor.org/this_wee k_at_alcor.html Jessica Lemler, Administrative Associate/Webmaster This week has been yet another busy and productive week here at Alcor! We had another of our Communications Seminars off-site on Wednesday, and again I enjoyed being outdoors in the wonderful, warm Arizona sun with my co-workers and our host, Dr. Bob, who is attempting to teach us better ways to communicate with ourselves and each other. I have also been helping to prepare for the upcoming suspension. Yesterday we worked on scrubbing the operating room and compiling the checklists we will be using during the suspension. Today we will be doing more work to assure everything is in place and ready for the arrival of our patient. I am also working, as I do every Friday, on this page for the website. I have added new pictures, so click on the "Pictures" link below to see what's going on here at Alcor! <http://www.alcor.org/this_week_pictures.htm>http://www.alcor.org/this_week _pictures.htm Mathew Sullivan, Facility Operations Manager & Patient Care Manager I am currently devoted to the coordination and preparation for an upcoming suspension cannot submit a full report. Mike Perry, PhD., Patient Care Assistant This week I worked to further refine the "For the Record" column dealing with Alcor events 25 and 10 years ago. Illustrations and references are now in place, and the text has been edited to nearly a final form. I took pictures of the patient care bay for possible use on the cover of the new version of Cryonics Reaching For Tomorrow (CRFT) called ALEFI for Alcor Life Extension Foundation Introduction, I think (and pronounced "alfee"), showing a dewar fill in progress. I retrieved an article of mine, "Why Cryonics Will Probably Work" (*Cryonics*, Apr. 1992) that was also wanted in connection with ALEFI. More routinely, there was a fill of the patient dewars from the pressure vessel on Tuesday. It looks as if we now have a pending suspension, and preparations have been hectic. Yesterday I checked out the automated cooldown program and this morning (Friday the 26th) I was involved in nitrogen deliveries, which was made more interesting in view of work being done to resurface our parking lot. Joe Hovey, Accounting Manager With the exception of Wednesday, half of which was taken up again with another communications seminar given by Bob Newport, I spent most of the week working on Alcor's monthly financial statements. I am now within shouting distance of being completely caught up. The rest of the time was mostly spent on the usual daily financial maintenance chores, making bank deposits, shifting money around, performing data entry, etc. After some difficulty with my printer I ran off member labels for our members for our first issue of "The Alcor Forum" which was created and funded by Charles Platt. Thank you Charles. Two volunteers (Judy Muhlestein and her sister Barbara Milton), were very helpful in organizing, stuffing, labeling and posting the newsletters. Thanks to all. It looks like we have another pending suspension. I will have to create the accounting system to reflect the suspension activity that is forthcoming. Jennifer Chapman, Membership Administrator The majority of my time this week has been devoted to updating various publications. Such as, the emergency wallet cards have been revised to reflect more accurate medical instructions. Also, it has been suggested that referring to the member to as an anatomical donor rather than a cryonicist may benefit Alcor's ability to obtain the cooperation of the attending medical personnel. The requested cooperation is specifically requested for the purpose of furthering scientific knowledge and medical research. Most health care providers can appreciate this general explanation without requiring an extensive discussion concerning the feasibility of resuscitation. Efforts are also being made to revise Membership Handbook. This project was initiated by the suggestion of a new member who observed that the content is quite outdated. His offer to assist with the revisions enabled this to become an active project. Without his cooperation it would likely have remained a pending task to be completed as schedules permit. Several hours were also devoted to assisting with database revisions and progress is being made in this regard. Although the full extent of the suggested improvements is substantial, every effort towards obtaining these much needed capabilities will have a substantial impact. This member also deserves recognition for enacting a project, which will certainly be a lasting benefit to Alcor. Several mailing were also coordinated this week, as local volunteers ensured the first issue of The Alcor Forum were sent on schedule and announcements of various upcoming gatherings are also being composed. Hugh Hixon, Facilities Engineer Friday, pick up parts for cooldown lids and started reassembly of the present one. Saturday, worked a bit on getting the video projector to behave. Sunday, with Dr. Lemler to Laughlin, NV for a a training session. Set up the PowerPoint equipment. Gave a session on the temperature logger. Monday, continue with training session with Joe Tennant, Dr. Lemler. Tuesday, wound up training with the Laughlin team, debated the philosophical issues of cryonics with unbelievers. Who are nonetheless very competent. More word and worry on the Russian member. Return to Alcor. Wednesday, seminar with Dr. Newport. Other administrative stuff. Thursday, staff meeting. Start getting organized for a whole-body suspension. With Mike Perry, work on the cooldown system. Talk with a visitor who is renewing his membership. Dr. Jerry Lemler, President, CEO I spent the first part of the week (Sunday- Tuesday) with Hugh Hixon and Bay Area ADR-A Joe Tennant conducting the annual training session at Don Laughlin's Riverside Hotel and Casino in Laughlin, Nevada. Hotel security chief Rick Armstrong has assembled a top-flight rescue staff (all of whom are EMT certified). We put the team through their paces, and I feel certain they can successfully be deployed with great confidence. Yesterday morning, (Thursday), I was the featured guest on the KRQ Radio (Tucson) show John Jay, and Rich in the Morning. It was a fun experience, and the listening audience call-in questions were predictable. We are now in the process of getting ready for an overseas impending suspension. This event is likely to occur by the early part of next week. Stay healthy and go Diamondbacks! Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=17811