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Company description::
PLAYING PEEKABOO WITH STEM CELLS
-- Top Parkinson’s researcher raises $132,000 at
one-night only stem cell lab --
OTTAWA – December 11, 2003 – The Thomas C. Assaly Foundation today announced the total amount of money raised at the first-ever Cryogenic Martini, - an evening at a virtual stem cell lab. The total raised for the night was $132,000, with tens of thousands more expected to trickle in. The evening is being hailed as a unique first in the world of university and research funding.
On Tuesday, December 9, the Residence of His Excellency Haim Divon, Ambassador of the State of Israel to Canada was transformed into a one-night only cryogenic stem cell lab where guests viewed brain cells under a $125,000 high-power microscope, sipped martinis amidst state-of-the-art lab equipment and witnessed the instant freezing and shattering of martini-bound fruit every time a donation in the fight against Parkinson’s was made.
The evening, which honoured the top Canadian stem cell researcher Laurie Doering, was presented by Ottawa’s Thomas C. Assaly Foundation, whose founder was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.
In an effort to encourage guests to donate towards for Doering’s ground-breaking research, nearly every piece of equipment required for his dream lab was set-up and on display. After learning about the role that each device would play, guests filled out ‘wish list’ cards to help purchase the equipment for Doering’s use
“Parkinson’s Disease is the neurological disorder most likely to benefit from cell therapy and transplantation techniques,” said Doering. “My hope is that this amazing evening provided guests with an opportunity to learn why that is the case, and to see first-hand the equipment that can help bring a treatment for Parkinson’s in the near future. My findings indicate a positive outlook and The Thomas C. Assaly Foundation has done an outstanding job in aggressively funding this important work.”
Doering’s research is world-renowned, and unique. Unlike most in the field, he has been extensively trained in the three key areas (nervous system development/disease, tissue culture, and neurotransplantation) required to understand and to move cell therapy from the laboratory to the patient.
“I visited numerous research laboratories and looked for the most forward-thinking, hands-on researcher I could find,” said Thomas C. Assaly. “I am very pleased to have found Dr. Doering and to have been introduced to his unique capabilities. He is truly one of world’s best kept secrets.”
A media sheet regarding stem cells and Doering’s Parkinson’s research can be found at: http://www.hooplacommunications.com/DoeringPhD.html. For further information, please visit McMaster University at: http://www.mcmaster.ca/research/faces/faces_doering.htm.
About Parkinson’s Disease
Patients with Parkinson's disease lose large numbers of a key type of brain cell that produces dopamine, a chemical needed for the body to control muscular movements. Stem cells, which are the body's master cells, can be transformed into new brain cells to replace those lost due to Parkinson’s Disease. An estimated 100,000 Canadians, over half under the age of 65, suffer from the progressive, degenerative disease. Parkinson’s is believed to be the neurological disorder most likely to benefit from cell therapy and transplantation.
About Laurie Doering
Doering has spent over 25 years researching cell therapy, and is credited as one of the first researchers in the world to successfully transplant cultured brain cells into the central nervous system. Since joining McMaster University in 1987, his research as associate professor of pathology and molecular medicine has been focused on the cultivation and transplantation of neural cells as a possible treatment for Parkinson’s Disease.
For more information see: http://www.hooplacommunications.com/DoeringPhD.html, or visit McMaster University at: http://www.mcmaster.ca/research/faces/faces_doering.htm.
About the Thomas C. Assaly Foundation
The Thomas C. Assaly Foundation was established in 1989 to support community endeavours in the National Capital Region. With founder Thomas C. Assaly’s recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease, the work of the foundation has shifted to an aggressive funding and awareness campaign in support of Parkinson’s research in Canada. After visiting numerous research labs, the foundation chose to focus primarily on the world-leading work of McMaster University’s Laurie Doering, PhD.
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For further information, please contact:
Aron Slipacoff
Hoopla Communications
416-834-2766
aron@hooplacommunications.com
www.hooplacommunications.com
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