STEM CELL PARTNERSHIP: Patient Advocates and Scientists at the International Society for Stem Cell Research Convention
By Don C. Reed
This year's International Society for Stem Cell Researchers (ISSCR) conference was enormous, three vast floors of San Francisco's magnificent Moscone West convention center.
![2016-07-05-1467733719-6965686-o.jpg]()
As a watering hole brings animals together, the ISSCR concentrates the world's top stem cell scientists. From around the world they came, four thousand of them this year, representing almost sixty countries. Interspersed with them were patients and patient advocates, those who would benefit most from scientific advances, and those who make the science possible-- by fighting the endless battles for funding.
For instance, Dr. Henry Klassen of UC Irvine spoke on his struggle to end a form of blindness called retinitis pigmentosa. Klassen is an acknowledged leader in the field.
But what made the condition real for me was Kristin MacDonald, legally blind due to retinitis pigmentosa, who had to be helped up the stairs to the speaker's platform. An articulate speaker, she reminded us all why the fight must go on.
![2016-07-05-1467733923-8935272-Kristinredgoldheadshot275wide1.jpg]()
And the money required to do the research?
Klassen is funded by a grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) , the $3 billion stem cell program made possible by patient advocates. Let no one forget; it was a citizen's initiative, Proposition 71, led by patient advocate Bob Klein, which made that money available. Without patient advocates, the CIRM would literally not exist.
Recognizing the importance of patient advocate-scientist partnerships, the ISSCR previously honored Klein with their advocacy award, but also featured patient advocate panelists in their media briefing sessions throughout the conference.
![2016-07-05-1467734033-6992832-bobisscr.jpg]()
Importantly, the conference offered free admission to a public briefing session, at which several top scientists discussed their breakthroughs in straight-forward, comprehensible terms. (All scientists wishing support from the public-- should keep track of the size of their words!)
A favorite speaker was Nobel laureate Shinya Yamanaka, who spoke on the ten years since he developed an advanced stem cell research called Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. His talk included some humor, which helped.
![2016-07-05-1467734113-7138169-yamanaka.jpg]()
But what I remember most about Professor Yamanaka is his personal warmth. Years ago, he was about to speak at the Japanese consulate, when my paralyzed son Roman pulled up in his adapted van. I arranged for some strong people to lift Roman and carry him in, but he would not hear of it. But Dr. Yamanaka came out specifically to meet Roman, outside the non-accessible building. This year, when I saw him in the hallway at the convention, I approached and greeted him. He was polite, but I could tell he was struggling to remember who was this ancient advocate--until I mentioned my son. Then he said, "Ah, Roman Reed, Roman Reed!" His face lit up and he bowed and shook my hand.
Below are a few more of the patient advocates present, along with the disease or condition for which they seek a cure:
Huntington's Disease: Frances Saldana and her husband David, Daniel Medina, and Kim Bailey;
Spinal Cord Injury Paralysis: Richard Lajara and Lane Edwards;
Liver Failure: Bill Remak;
Parkinson's Disease: Bart Narter, Jennifer Raub, Joe and Debbie Burger;
Peripheral Vascular Disease: Arsenia Harrison;
Sickle Cell Anemia: Adrienne Shapiro.
By Don C. Reed
This year's International Society for Stem Cell Researchers (ISSCR) conference was enormous, three vast floors of San Francisco's magnificent Moscone West convention center.
As a watering hole brings animals together, the ISSCR concentrates the world's top stem cell scientists. From around the world they came, four thousand of them this year, representing almost sixty countries. Interspersed with them were patients and patient advocates, those who would benefit most from scientific advances, and those who make the science possible-- by fighting the endless battles for funding.
For instance, Dr. Henry Klassen of UC Irvine spoke on his struggle to end a form of blindness called retinitis pigmentosa. Klassen is an acknowledged leader in the field.
But what made the condition real for me was Kristin MacDonald, legally blind due to retinitis pigmentosa, who had to be helped up the stairs to the speaker's platform. An articulate speaker, she reminded us all why the fight must go on.
And the money required to do the research?
Klassen is funded by a grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) , the $3 billion stem cell program made possible by patient advocates. Let no one forget; it was a citizen's initiative, Proposition 71, led by patient advocate Bob Klein, which made that money available. Without patient advocates, the CIRM would literally not exist.
Recognizing the importance of patient advocate-scientist partnerships, the ISSCR previously honored Klein with their advocacy award, but also featured patient advocate panelists in their media briefing sessions throughout the conference.
Importantly, the conference offered free admission to a public briefing session, at which several top scientists discussed their breakthroughs in straight-forward, comprehensible terms. (All scientists wishing support from the public-- should keep track of the size of their words!)
A favorite speaker was Nobel laureate Shinya Yamanaka, who spoke on the ten years since he developed an advanced stem cell research called Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. His talk included some humor, which helped.
But what I remember most about Professor Yamanaka is his personal warmth. Years ago, he was about to speak at the Japanese consulate, when my paralyzed son Roman pulled up in his adapted van. I arranged for some strong people to lift Roman and carry him in, but he would not hear of it. But Dr. Yamanaka came out specifically to meet Roman, outside the non-accessible building. This year, when I saw him in the hallway at the convention, I approached and greeted him. He was polite, but I could tell he was struggling to remember who was this ancient advocate--until I mentioned my son. Then he said, "Ah, Roman Reed, Roman Reed!" His face lit up and he bowed and shook my hand.
Below are a few more of the patient advocates present, along with the disease or condition for which they seek a cure:
Huntington's Disease: Frances Saldana and her husband David, Daniel Medina, and Kim Bailey;
Spinal Cord Injury Paralysis: Richard Lajara and Lane Edwards;
Liver Failure: Bill Remak;
Parkinson's Disease: Bart Narter, Jennifer Raub, Joe and Debbie Burger;
Peripheral Vascular Disease: Arsenia Harrison;
Sickle Cell Anemia: Adrienne Shapiro.