Q3 2020 Report and Thank you!
In Q3 2020, the Gregory J. Reiter Memorial Fund made a fresh grant to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), continuing sponsorship of Exam Room Live and Exam Room Podcast programming that is so vital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Focusing on the latest news in plant-based nutrition, the Exam Room reports daily health headlines and shares tips and research on tackling Coronavirus comorbidities.
Meanwhile at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), our partners scored some big wins in the campaign to end racehorse cruelty.
In July, a harness-racing bettor received $20,000 to settle a first-of-its kind lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in New Jersey and financed by PETA. The bettor’s successful claim, that he was cheated of winnings when a doped horse won a 2016 New Jersey race, sets an important precedent for more litigation — putting trainers and owners on notice that there’s a price to pay for drugging horses. The bettor also agreed to donate 1/3 of his settlement proceeds to a racehorse adoption program – a double win for racehorses!
In September, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Horseracing Safety and Integrity Act (H.R. 1754) to establish a Horseracing Anti-Doping and Medication Control Authority, while Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sponsored companion bill S. 4547 — giving the bill strong odds of becoming federal law. In explaining his decision to introduce the Senate bill, Majority Leader McConnell referenced the March 13, 2020 Washington Post editorial board opinion piece Horse racing has outlived its time. That editorial cited PETA’s 2013 investigation into treatment of racehorses including Charlie, who I later adopted.
Our PETA Community Animal Project partners also had big news, with release of the documentary film Breaking the Chain, produced by award winning actress Anjelica Huston. The film follows PETA fieldworkers as they care for suffering animals in impoverished areas of Virginia and North Carolina, highlighting their work to end animal neglect and overpopulation.
Thank you donors!
A special thank-you this quarter to donor Caryn Laurion, and to Greta Morris for your contribution in memory of Lois Herrmann.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to a Facebook fundraiser for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine which the Greg Fund matched: Monique Bilezikian, Alka Chandna, David Cherry, Graca DaCruz, Simone G de Lima, Jacob Eliosoff, Nancy Ertel, Heidi Feller, Mary Sue Fields, Julie Germany, Chuck Gordon, Rob Haworth, Nathan Herschler, Nancy K Hughitt, Stephanie Jones, Steven Kehrli, Christine Kestner, Kirsten Krivoshia, Debbie Kula, Ilona Lantos in memory of Chris Lantos, Rachel McCrystal, Katie McHenry, Iman Moussa, Jim North, Julia Novak, Diana Tyrrasch Ok, Emily Perryman, Sarah Shepard, Jenny Teed, Yi Ting, Daisy Warin, and Betsy Leonard Wason.