Photo Credit: Jaquell Chandler Evie Junior was born with sickle cell disease, a life-threatening condition that affects around 100,000 Americans, most of them Black and Latino. People with sickle cell disease have blood cells that are shaped like a hook (or sickle) rather than smooth and round, which can create clogs, causing intense pain, organ … Continue reading Tackling sickle cell disease from within
Sickle cell disease
State agency launches ‘Championing Change for Sickle Cell in California’ campaign
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), established by the voters of California, is accelerating research and awareness of Sickle Cell Disease. The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), one of the world’s largest institutions dedicated to regenerative medicine, is proud to announce the launch of "Championing Change for Sickle Cell in California,” a pioneering … Continue reading State agency launches ‘Championing Change for Sickle Cell in California’ campaign
Celebrating Black Joy and Spreading Awareness
The streets of Oakland were alive with vibrant colors, infectious energy, and a powerful sense of community as the 2024 Black Joy Parade took center stage on Sunday, February 25. Black Joy Parade-goers with colorful noisemakers walking down Franklin and 19th St. The Black Joy Parade is a yearly celebration of the Black community and … Continue reading Celebrating Black Joy and Spreading Awareness
Join the movement to fight rare diseases
Tomorrow, February 28th, is Rare Disease Day. It’s a day to remind ourselves of the millions of people, and their families, struggling with these diseases. These conditions are also called orphan diseases because, in many cases, drug companies were not interested in adopting them to develop treatments. Here at the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), we … Continue reading Join the movement to fight rare diseases
The race to cure sickle cell disease
September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, a time to refocus our efforts to find new treatments, even a cure, for people with sickle cell disease. Until we get those, CIRM remains committed to doing everything we can to reduce the stigma and bias that surrounds it. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a rare, inherited … Continue reading The race to cure sickle cell disease
Two reasons to remember June 19th
Today marks two significant events for the Black community. June 19th is celebrated as Juneteenth, the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to ensure that the enslaved people there were free. That moment came two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation into law. June 19th is also … Continue reading Two reasons to remember June 19th
Joining the movement to fight rare diseases
THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST It’s hard to think of something as being rare when it affects up to 30 million Americans and 300 million people worldwide. But the truth is there are more than 6,000 conditions – those affecting 200,000 people or fewer – that are considered rare. Today, … Continue reading Joining the movement to fight rare diseases
CIRM-funded stem cell clinical trial patients: Where are they now?
Ronnie with his parents Pawash Priyank and Upasana Thakur. Since its launch in 2004, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has been a leader in growing the stem cell and regenerative medicine field while keeping the needs of patients at the core of its mission. To date, CIRM has: Advanced stem cell research and therapy development for … Continue reading CIRM-funded stem cell clinical trial patients: Where are they now?
Mother and daughter team up to fight bias and discrimination in treatment for people with sickle cell disease
LISTEN TO AN AUDIO VERSION OF THIS BLOG Adrienne Shapiro and Marissa Cors are a remarkable pair by any definition. The mother and daughter duo share a common bond, and a common goal. And they are determined not to let anyone stop them achieving that goal. Marissa was born with sickle cell disease (SCD) a … Continue reading Mother and daughter team up to fight bias and discrimination in treatment for people with sickle cell disease
An Open Letter to CIRM for World Sickle Cell Day
Nancy M. Rene Dear CIRM, World Sickle Cell Day is this Saturday June 19th. The goal of this day is to increase knowledge of the disease and understanding of the challenges faced. It is a day that I greet with very mixed feelings. I’m of course extremely grateful to CIRM for the time and money … Continue reading An Open Letter to CIRM for World Sickle Cell Day
The Stem Cellar 