By Luis Zaffirini

Earlier today we were informed that a good friend of the National Right to Life, and one of the bravest souls I have had the pleasure of knowing, passed away this morning. Carol Franz, cancer survivor and NRL Convention speaker, entered into her eternal rest today. She and her family will be in our prayers.

Carol Franz, with pro-life President George W. Bush in 2007.

As her friend Dr. David Prentice wrote this morning, “She was one of the first adult stem cell patients willing to tell her story publicly, how her own adult stem cells had helped her battle multiple myeloma cancer and given her many more years of life.” (You can read about it in Carol’s own words at http://carolfranz.com.)

It will be hard to forget her. Having worked with Carol at the annual Convention, she was always a beam of sunlight. She was so proud of being a pro-lifer and of her message, you could never miss her in her signature neon sweaters which read: "SURVIVOR, Adult Stem Cell Transplant.” Carol admitted she knew it was an eye-catcher, but much more than that she knew it was a conversation starter and a way to spread the pro-life message as much as possible.

In June of 2007, I had the privilege of attending an event at the White House where President George W. Bush made remarks after having vetoed legislation to expand federally funded embryonic stem cell research. Imagine my delight to see Carol Franz standing beside President Bush as he explained the significance of his actions.

The President said, “I’m also up here with Carol Franz; she has whipped cancer twice by using adult stem cells. In other words, adult stem cells have saved her life. She’s a determined woman who believes strongly that there are different alternatives available to use stem cells other than those which are created as the result of destruction of human life.”

I was so glad I had my camera that day and a pretty good view of the stage. I snapped away as furiously as I could to get a shot of Carol; I got a few good ones.

Her words from her personal website with the bright green background to match her sweater say it all: "I want people to be informed and to give hope. No embryos had to die for me to live. Adult stem cells can be from a donor, a relative but the best is from you."

Carol was a fierce fighter but an even fiercer advocate for the lives of the innocent unborn.

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