National Institutes of Health Few things feel more flattering than receiving an unexpected invitation from someone you respect. The person wants to learn how you work and determine whether your methods could improve their own. That recently happened to CIRM. Randy Mills, then CIRM’s president and CEO, explained: “Several weeks ago, the director of the … Continue reading CIRM and NIH: a dynamic duo to advance stem cell therapies
Annual Report
You Are Invited: CIRM Patient Advocate Event, San Diego April 20th
The word “cured” is one of the loveliest words in the English language. Last year we got to use it twice when we talked about stem cell therapies we are funding. Two of our clinical trials are not just helping people, they are curing them (you can read about that in our Annual Report). But … Continue reading You Are Invited: CIRM Patient Advocate Event, San Diego April 20th
Stem Cell Profiles in Courage: Karl’s Fight with Cancer
When I think of a pioneer I have an image in my head of people heading west across the Americans plains in the 18th century, riding in a covered wagon pulled by weary oxen. Karl Trede doesn’t fit that image at all. He is a trim, elegant man who has a ready smile and a … Continue reading Stem Cell Profiles in Courage: Karl’s Fight with Cancer
Stem Cell Profiles in Courage: Brenden Whittaker
It’s not often you meet someone who says one of their favorite things in the world is mowing the lawn. But then, there aren’t many people in the world like Brenden Whittaker. In fact, as of this writing, he may be unique. Brenden was born with severe chronic granulomatous disease (x-CGD), a rare genetic disorder … Continue reading Stem Cell Profiles in Courage: Brenden Whittaker
Stem Cells Profile in Courage: Pat Furlong, Patient Advocate
One of the true joys for me in helping put together this year’s Annual Report was getting to know the patients and patient advocates that we profiled in the report. These are some extraordinary individuals and the short profiles we posted only touch the surface of just how extraordinary. So, over the next few weeks … Continue reading Stem Cells Profile in Courage: Pat Furlong, Patient Advocate
Cured by Stem Cells
To get anywhere you need a good map, and you need to check it constantly to make sure you are still on the right path and haven’t strayed off course. A year ago the CIRM Board gave us a map, a Strategic Plan, that laid out our course for the next five years. Our Annual … Continue reading Cured by Stem Cells
Stem cell heroes: patients who had life-saving, life-changing treatments inspire CIRM Board
It’s not an easy thing to bring an entire Board of Directors to tears, but four extraordinary people and their families managed to do just that at the last CIRM Board meeting of 2016. The four are patients who have undergone life-saving or life-changing stem cell therapies that were funded by our agency. The … Continue reading Stem cell heroes: patients who had life-saving, life-changing treatments inspire CIRM Board
A look back at the last year but with our eyes firmly on the future
CIRM President & CEO Randy Mills doesn't want "good", he wants "better" Better. With one word, “Better,” President and CEO Randy Mills opens and closes his letter in our 2015 Annual Report, capturing the principle that guides CIRM’s work. But better what? Improve infrastructure to turn early‑stage ideas into clinical trials. Better regulatory practices to … Continue reading A look back at the last year but with our eyes firmly on the future
The 2013 CIRM Annual Report
2013 CIRM Annual Report cover page At last week’s governing Board meeting, communications director Kevin McCormack unveiled CIRM’s 2013 annual report. Was that a yawn I just heard, dear reader? Are you about to click away from this blog? It’s true that annual reports can be bulky tomes that make better dust collectors than reading … Continue reading The 2013 CIRM Annual Report