April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is joining the campaign to #Take6ForPD—take 6 minutes to raise Parkinson’s awareness and highlight our commitment to funding research for the disease. In addition to highlighting our commitment to funding Parkinson's research, we're giving patients and patient advocates the opportunity to share their stories … Continue reading Take6ForPD: CIRM Board member David Higgins shares why Parkinson’s awareness matters
David Higgins
Hollywood and Patient Advocacy – two people who are on our Board but never boring
At first glance, Lauren Miller Rogen and David Higgins, PhD, seem an unlikely pair. She’s an actor, writer, and director and has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood. He has a doctorate in molecular biology and genetics and has worked at some of the most well-known companies in biotech. But together they … Continue reading Hollywood and Patient Advocacy – two people who are on our Board but never boring
It’s all about the patients
Ronnie, born with a fatal immune disorder now leading a normal life thanks to a CIRM-funded stem cell/gene therapy: Photo courtesy of his mum Upasana Whenever you are designing something new you always have to keep in mind who the end user is. You can make something that works perfectly fine for you, but if … Continue reading It’s all about the patients
Stem Cells for Parkinson’s Disease
While the world has been turned upside down by the coronavirus pandemic, the virus poses an increased threat to people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Having a compromised immune system, particularly involving the lungs, means people with PD are at higher risk of some of the more dangerous complications of COVID-19. So, this seems like an … Continue reading Stem Cells for Parkinson’s Disease
Stem Cell Agency Approves Funding for Clinical Trials Targeting Parkinson’s Disease and Blindness
The governing Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) yesterday invested $32.92 million to fund the Stem Cell Agency’s first clinical trial in Parkinson’s disease (PD), and to support three clinical trials targeting different forms of vision loss. This brings the total number of clinical trials funded by CIRM to 60. The PD … Continue reading Stem Cell Agency Approves Funding for Clinical Trials Targeting Parkinson’s Disease and Blindness
CIRM public events highlight uncertain future of stem cell research
When governments cut funding for scientific research the consequences can be swift, and painful. In Canada last week for example, the government of Ontario cut $5 million in annual funding for stem cell research, effectively ending a project developing a therapy to heal the damaged lungs of premature babies. Here in the US the federal … Continue reading CIRM public events highlight uncertain future of stem cell research
The Past, the Present, and the Uncertain Future of Stem Cell Research
Ronnie, a boy who was born without a functioning immune system but who is thriving today because of CIRM funded research When CIRM was created in 2004 the field of stem cell research was still very much in its infancy. Fast forward 15 years and it’s moving ahead at a rapid pace, probably faster than … Continue reading The Past, the Present, and the Uncertain Future of Stem Cell Research
200 years later, the search for a cure for Parkinson’s continues
On the surface, actor Michael J. Fox, singer Neil Diamond, civil rights activist Jesse Jackson and Scottish comedian Billy Connolly would appear to have little in common. Except for one thing. They all have Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Their celebrity status has helped raise public awareness about the condition, but studies show that awareness doesn’t amount … Continue reading 200 years later, the search for a cure for Parkinson’s continues
Facebook Live – Ask the Stem Cell Team about Patient Advocacy
How often do you get to ask an expert a question about something that matters deeply to you and get an answer right away? Not very often I'm guessing. That's why CIRM's Facebook Live "Ask the Stem Cell Team About Patient Advocacy" gives you a chance to do just that this Thursday, March 14th from … Continue reading Facebook Live – Ask the Stem Cell Team about Patient Advocacy
Tips on how to be a great Patient Advocate from three of the best Advocates around
No one sets out to be a Patient Advocate. It’s something that you become because of something that happens to you. Usually it’s because you, or a loved one or a friend, becomes ill and you want to help find a treatment. Whatever the reason, it is the start of a journey that often throws … Continue reading Tips on how to be a great Patient Advocate from three of the best Advocates around