The SickKids Foundation has launched its Connecting for Kids: Campaign 2008, a community of researchers, families, and people passionate about stem cell and other innovative types of research. The Connecting for Kids: Campaign 2008 is a portal for people whose children or loved ones are living with a life-threatening disease or traumatic injury and see stem cell research as a direct lead to the possibility of cures/recovery. It is also a place for the politically active, progressive community that wishes to advance the cause of stem cell research and its potential for medical breakthroughs.
Currently stem cell research is heavily restricted in the United States. The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) Research Institute in Toronto is in a unique position within the global stem cell community. The Canadian Assisted Human Reproduction Act, passed in 2004, allows research on spare in vitro fertilized embryos as long as it promises a clear benefit for human health. Because of Canada's position on stem cell research and an unrivaled concentration of excellent stem cell researchers at SickKids and in Toronto, the Research Institute is poised to make stem cell breakthroughs that will have a long-standing impact on the future of health care.
Researchers believe that stem cell-based therapeutics may be used for diseases like cancer, Type-1 diabetes, joint diseases, or conditions like heart damage, spinal cord injury, baldness, and even missing teeth. Stem cells are also particularly exciting in the area of regenerative medicine and transplantation where adult stem cells could mitigate rejection issues.
"Our families and scientists intimately understand the importance of stem cell research in improving the health of our children," said Mike O'Mahoney, president of SickKids Foundation. "Through Connecting for Kids Campaign 2008 we are giving families insight into the issues surrounding the science of stem cells and giving our scientists the inspiration to drive this exciting field forward."
Illustration: SickKids Foundation.
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PR Web (09/25/08)
Medical News Today (09/25/08)
Bio-Medicine (09/25/08)
Connecting for Kids: Campaign 2008, SickKids Foundation
SickKids Foundation