Cell Therapy Foundation Launches Three Critical Projects
 

Stop COPD Campaign - A Sneak Preview

In the coming days you will hear official announcements about our first disease-specific initiative, seeking a cure for the debilitating lung disease, COPD. CTF, along with a coalition of top researchers, organizations and other partners, is leading a community-driven effort to fund Adult Stem Cell research in COPD -- initially bringing together the nation's scientific leadership in a summit to discuss the best cell therapy approaches and culminating with human clinical trials -- and curative therapies. The campaign, directed by CTF Advisory Board member Jan Byars, will raise $2M. You can already preview the Stop COPD Facebook page and Twitter feed.

 

Critical Ischemia Mini-Documentary - Lights, Camera... ACTION!

In 2012, CTF produced a series of three video stories to help bring public awareness of the healing and regenerative power of Adult Stem Cells, clinical trials, and emerging therapies. This last November, CTF was awarded a generous grant by Biomet, Inc. to produce an new mini-documentary addressing Critical Limb Ischemia and Limb Amputation. The video will highlight the work of CTF Advisory Board member Dr. Michael Murphy in clinical trials. 

 

Did you know that, annually, as many as 100,000 patients will require limb amputations in the US, alone? Patients who have been threatened with impending amputation often don’t hear about limb-saving Adult Stem Cell approaches; Bone marrow-derived Adult Stem Cells have shown to restore vascular structures and may revitalize the legs of patients with Critical Limb Ischemia. Once completed, this documentary will be made available to the public via the Vimeo platform and actively promoted in order to inform patients and physicians about this quality-of-life saving option. Production should be completed in early March 2014.

 

Clinical Trials Finder - A Matchmaking Service... of Sorts

It is a sad truth: Almost all clinical trials are hampered by sluggish recruitment of eligible patients -- frustrating medical researchers and ultimately, slowing cures. Most trials take years longer than necessary to complete -- and some even fold.

 

Almost daily, the CTF office receives calls and emails from patients seeking options for medical conditions. Often they are interested in investigational medicine but can't understand the complex language typical on clinical trial sites. So, how can we enable an easy connecting between researchers and patients? 

 

We have a plan! CTF is now actively seeking funds to launch a web-based, patient-friendly Adult Stem Cell Clinical Trials Finder in 2014. Much of the "groundwork" has already been done to investigate and compile appropriate clinical trials in a wide range of diseases and conditions, and to make the language lay-friendly. An additional $70,000 is being sought to design an easy-to-use graphic interface and database for the website. Here, CTF expertise meets critical need! 

 

You can help patients find the hope they seek! Your donation of any size will help us advance science and healing.