Welcome to the E-newsletter of the Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures March/April 2017! Below are a few articles that caught our eye. Enjoy.
UNMC Researchers reach milestone in effort to slow or halt progression of Parkinson’s
Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center have reached a new milestone in their efforts to harness the immune system to slow or halt the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
In an early clinical trial in humans, the researchers used an existing drug to shift a population of white blood cells from a destructive mode to a protective state that can help defend against brain injury.
Read more here.
Nancy Armitage Pancreas Cancer Clinical Research Professorship
Our deepest sympathies go out to Dr. James Armitage and his family on the death of Nancy Armitage. Dr. Armitage was honored by the Nebraska Coalition in 2007 at our Spring Tribute Luncheon.
In Nancy’s honor and to recognize her cancer fight, friends and family helped to establish the Nancy Armitage Pancreas Cancer Clinical Research Professorship in 2016.
The permanently endowed fund at the University of Nebraska Foundation will provide annual support to a faculty member at UNMC and will help the university to attract and retain a top expert in pancreatic cancer clinical research.
Read more here.
Three people left blind by Florida clinic’s unproven stem cell therapy
The report makes for chilling reading. Three women, all suffering from macular degeneration – the leading cause of vision loss in the US – went to a Florida clinic hoping that a stem cell therapy would save their eyesight. Instead, it caused all three to go blind.
The study, in the latest issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, is a warning to all patients about the dangers of getting unproven, unapproved stem cell therapies.
Read more here.
Upcoming Events
April 21: Lunch and Learn
Dr. Mahendra S. Rao is the featured speaker for the Lunch and Learn April 21 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Sorrell Center UNMC Room 2018. Read more here.
April 24: Spring Luncheon
Save the Date for NCLC’s Spring Luncheon honoring Mary “Andy” Holland. This event will take place Monday, April 24, 2017 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Happy Hollow Club. Buy tickets here.