Elder Chimpanzees Inspire Elder Humans

September 17, 2007 • Posted in Project R&R News

"The elder chimpanzees' stories and moving portraits were extremely well received at the AARP expo attended predominantly by people who themselves understand the challenges of aging and the need to one day 'retire.' The plight of chimpanzees who have been 'worked' in research for 40 or 50 years resonated with the crowd and moved many to tears," said Dr. Theodora Capaldo, Executive Director of Project R&R. "The response has once again reinforced our conviction that America is ready to finally do the right thing on behalf of chimpanzees—our next of kin—and release and provide them with the restitution in sanctuary that they so deserve. The overwhelming majority of people who visited our booth were eager to sign a petition to release all elder chimpanzees from all U.S. labs and to learn more. We will bring the signed petitions to the legislators and show this resounding voice of support of elder humans on behalf of elder chimpanzees."


Pictured above (L to R): Jennifer Campbell, NEAVS Director of Member Services; Gloria Grow, Honorary Co-Chair of Project R&R and Founder and Director of the Fauna Foundation; Dr. Marjorie Cramer, Project R&R Advisory Board Member; Karen Smith, NEAVS Director of Communications.


Dr. Marge Peppercorn, long-time NEAVS
supporter and volunteer

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in your local area, contact us.

 

   Project R&R brought our campaign for the immediate release of elder chimpanzees from U.S. laboratories to the doorstep of American seniors this past week at AARP's Life@50+ National Event & Expo. The annual event, this year in Boston, introduced thousands of participants to the plight of chimpanzees.

The three day event attracted a diverse crowd from around the U.S. In addition to signing petitions, booth visitors left informed about the Project R&R campaign—taking literature, signing up to receive information, and referring other conference goers to our booth.

Many were surprised to learn that chimpanzees could live for as long as 40 or 50 years—and shocked to find out that so many have spent their entire lives subjected to research. Some were so inspired by the stories of the elder chimpanzees that they volunteered to take petitions back home for friends and family, make calls, and in other ways lend their support.

The Project R&R booth included special guest Gloria Grow, Honorary Co-Chair of Project R&R and Founder and Director of the Fauna Foundation. Along with NEAVS President Dr. Theodora Capaldo, Ms. Grow fielded questions and, as always, inspired visitors with moving stories of the Fauna chimpanzees. In addition to NEAVS staff, there was a terrific team of volunteers including Dr. Marjorie Cramer and Dr. Marge Peppercorn, who were on hand to respond to questions about the health risks and limitations of animal research and about the human, as well as humane, advantages of ending the use of chimpanzees and other species to study human health and disease.Project R&R is bringing its message to tens of thousands of people each week through our well placed print and radio ads, website, and participation in events such as this AARP expo with its 25,000 attendees!

 

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