We were very sorry to learn that Robert Suthers, of New York, has passed away from lung cancer.

Mr. Suthers, a former marathon runner, received the placebo in his GDNF trial, and also suffered a stroke after surgery. In spite of all of this, he finally got some time on GDNF and was the first to sue for the drug in New York when it was cancelled.

He appeared on Good Morning America and 60 Minutes. We all got to know his daughter Kristen, who fought the battle so valiantly at great emotional distress.

She says in her notice, to remember her father as he would have wanted to be remembered...putting on his jogging shoes, smiling.

He never gave up the fight.

paula