X-Message-Number: 8936 Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 22:57:07 -0800 From: Paul Wakfer <> Subject: Prometheus Pilot Project Contributions To all Prometheus Project Supporters: I had hoped and fully expected that by now (actually two weeks ago) I would have a completed plan for the Pilot project including staffing and budgeting considerations to present on this list. It was expect that is would also be ready to submit to the research committee of the major medical center institute where the Pilot project is to be executed, for their approval and agreement that the offered $100K can be used for that purpose. With the presentation of the proposal to the Prometheus pledgers and this list, I was going to ask cryonics supporters for additional funding ($125K more), so that the total put toward the Pilot project would be $250K. This would make a very substantial project which would be almost certain to produce valuable initial results which would help us along our long road to perfected suspended animation through first reversible brain and later whole-body vitrification. However, for various reasons the planning has been delayed and is now not likely to be completed until sometime in January and at the rate that things are proceeding, the pilot project is now not likely to actually begin until March 1998. This delay has caused some dilemma to me because I had planned to urge those who wish to contribute to the Pilot project to be sure to get their contributions in before the end of 1997 in order to obtain the possible deduction from taxable income on their 1997 tax year income. In addition, there were to be added benefits (and still are) for early contributions. However, I cannot, in good conscience, urge you to contribute when I do not yet have the detailed planning which has for so long been promised for your inspection and consideration before deciding on a contribution. Therefore, this note is simply to let you know that if you are thinking of contributing and you definitely wish to have a receipt which may be used to reduce your taxes on your 1997 income, then you should consider sending in a check dated before the end of the year. I believe that it is possible for FLLS to deposit the check a little later in January and still give the receipt for 1997, so if you are tight for funds you can send a note with your check asking for a short delay in deposit. While FLLS has not yet received 501(c)3 status, technically it *is* already a tax-exempt charitable organization unless the IRS rules differently (and I really cannot imagine on what grounds they could do so). The IRS themselves are very clear on this point that all contributions will be eligible for receipts which may be usable for a reduction of taxes, retroactive to the time of formation of the organization. In addition, while I don't think that is it possible that FLLS will not receive 501(c)3 status in the long run, and I am prepared to alter many things so that it will, if for some wild reason that should not happen, it is still possible that contributions can be withdrawn from our account sent to another 501(c)3 organization in the name of the original contributor and then paid back to FLLS for contract research. Therefore, I believe that I can quite ethically promise that every contributor *will get* a tax reduction eligible receipt one way or another. Please send your research contributions to: Paul Wakfer, trustee for FLLS 1220 E Washington St #24 Colton, CA 92324-6436 The new integrated Prometheus and Full Length Life Society web site will be ready in preliminary form by the end of this week at http://prometheus.morelife.org -- Paul -- Voice/Fax: 909-481-9620 Page: 800-805-2870 Full Length Life Society - http://www.morelife.org (not ready yet) A Charitable Trust Funding Research to Perfect Long-Term Stabilization of Life for Future Repair and Continuation Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=8936