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| Targeted Hope
News & Events
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 Wow, what an incredible year! Thanks to an infusion of new and amazingly talented volunteers donating their expertise in a variety of areas, TSCR experienced our most successful and productive year to date.
Our 2010 Learn and Live Educational Series allowed us to spread the word across Texas on not only the medical benefits, but the potential economic impact stem cell research can bring to our great state.
After successful educational programs in Austin, Corpus Christi and the DFW Metroplex, the series climaxed with our symposium at UT-Austin, featuring six of the top stem cell scientists in Texas, a leading Texas economist and two state elected officials. The symposium demonstrated that with all of TSCR's hard work, dedication and talented volunteers, we can achieve unbelievable results. After only three short years, TSCR has established itself as the dynamic leader in stem cell research education and advocacy in Texas.
Each year, TSCR continues to welcome new, incredible people to our group. In 2011, we were able for the first time to partner with the medical community and create our inaugural Medical Advisory Committee. This influx of energy, diverse talent and enthusiasm allows TSCR to further expand its ability to educate more Texans on the need for increased funding to support this valuable research.
2011 brings excitement for all of the new developments we hope and expect from this research, but also concern that opposing interests may try and slow this progress. We will continue our education and advocacy during the 82nd Legislative session beginning January 11, 2011.
At the first of the year, we will unveil our 2011 strategic plan, complete with a calendar of events for the year. With your help, we can continue our goals of education, and the need for more FDA approved clinical stem cell trials. We hope those of you who have volunteered in the past will again assist us, and invite your family and friends to join in and help as well!
In any event, we invite you to come celebrate our successes as we appreciate those of you who helped make this year so worthwhile and productive. We fully expect 2011 to be an even better year as we fight for cures for our fellow Texans currently living with a debilitating disease.
We look forward to seeing you at Jack Allen's Kitchen, or in the New Year. (RSVP Here)
David L. Bales, Chariman
Texans for Stem Cell Research
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The Fourth Pillar of Heathcare
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"Cell-based-therapies are not just another medicine,
but potential cures that will significantly benefit everyone:
patients, caregivers and society. "
--World Stem Cell Summit 2010
Stem cell science is at the core of regenerative medicine. Scientific researchers and medical doctors hope to make the concept of regeneration a reality by developing therapies to restore lost, damaged, or aging cells and tissues in the human body. Regenerative Medicine is not part of pharma, biotech or the medical device industry, but the fourth and final pillar of healthcare. The confidence in this sustainable new healthcare sector is gaining tremendous momentum.
Scientists are investigating the therapeutic potential of stem cells as a research tool to better understand and develop treatments for diseases that afflict more than 100 million Americans, including diabetes, cancer, heart disease, spinal cord injuries, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease and other debilitating conditions. Scientists continue to pursue several different avenues of stem cell research that are yielding a variety of promising insights. This critical research includes:
Adult Stem Cells
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT)
Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Induced Pluripotent Stem (IPS) Cells
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| Texas and The Alphabet Soup |
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 If you need a roadmap to the "alphabet soup" of umbrella groups, societies (IASCR, ISSCR, CIRM) and networks that have embraced stem cells as the future of medicine, you are not alone. Thankfully, the 2010 World Stem Cell Report is now available online. Global harmonization was the theme this year and the report includes over 40 free articles illuminating the complex and diverse stem cell community-- a window into the exciting universe of organizations that are influencing stem cell research & regenerative medicine. Texans for Stem Cell Research (TSCR) has solidified a place in the bowl and will advocate for safe stem cell science in 2011.(...more)
Click Here for Full World Stem Cell Report 2010
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| Targeted Hope
Cure-Focused Research |
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Scientists are convinced that stem cells can be used to treat injured hearts, spinal cords, brain and treat diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, MS and many other conditions. In the Targeted Hope section of our newsletter, we will highlight diseases specific treatments for which stem cell research is showing promise. This issue will include updates and further reading on developing cell-based therapies for diabetes, eye diseases and spinal cord injury.
Watch for Targeted Hope in Cord Blood and Cell Banking in our next issue.
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Need for Cures: Diabetes in Texas
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There is real need to prevent the disease while improving treatment options for the millions of
Texans affected by diabetes. About 8 million adult Texans, or 24 percent of the population, will be diagnosed with diabetes by 2040. Type I and Type II Diabetes impacts all social, economic and ethnic backgrounds and kills more people than AIDS and breast cancer combined. In addition, 65% of deaths among people with diabetes is due to heart disease and stroke. (...more)
"We work with all kinds of stem cells and we are transferring what we learn from embryonic stem cell research to adult stem cells, iPS and tissue reprogramming so eventually embryonic stem cells may not be as crucial as they are now for the progress of the field and for the development of new cures."
--Diabetes Research Institute
Insulin injections are a critical life-saving component of a daily treatment program, but not a cure. A technique to coax stem cells into insulin-producing islets could ultimately contribute to a cure for the disease by creating a limitless supply of the insulin-producing islet cells destroyed by type 1 diabetes. Although hESC have been studies for years as a potential cure, researchers are turning their attention to adult stem cells that appear to be precursors to islet cells that produce insulin. Larry Denner, PhD, UTMB Galveston is researching adult umbilical cord blood stem cells in hopes of a cure for type 1 diabetes. (...more). The need for cures for these patients will continue to be a critical issue for Texas.
The Special Diabetes Program has produced tangible results and real returns on the federal investment; significant research advances are helping to improve the lives of people living with diabetes and prevent the onset of the disease in others (...more) Cure based research must continue (...more)
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Light at the End of the Tunnel for Blindness
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 Researchers have made important step toward the goal of restoring sight in people. Using stem cells salvaged from the retinas of human cadavers, researchers restored sight to the eyes of blind mice. They have sights on the eye as an early target for stem cell treatment because it is somewhat protected by the blood-brain barrier, and stem cells transplanted there are less likely to face rejection. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as with most causes of blindness, destroys tissues in the retina, a multilayered lasagna of delicate cells that there was once little hope of replacing. AMD is the leading cause of blindness in people over 60, and the market for any stem cell treatment to slow or reverse it could be massive. (...more)
Who's Who in the Future of Stem Cells in Treating Eye Diseases
Use of Stem Cells in Opthalmology
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| Landmark Year for Spinal Cord Injury |
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The first person to receive a hESC stem cell treatment that might restore damaged cells in patients with spinal cord injury caught the attention of millions this fall. There is a growing body of evidence that supports the therapeutic use of stem cells for nerve repair. A study published in the journal Spine, found that stem cells from a human newborn umbilical cord can improve neurologic function of rats after an acute spinal cord injury (...more) (...more)
Historic Moment
Obama: Interview on Stem Cell Research (Video)
Stem Cells: Myths, Truths and Possibilities (Video)
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Save the Dates... | News &
Upcoming Events |
 Texans for Stem Cell Research
2nd Annual Educational Symposium
September 30th, 2011
Austin, Texas
We are already looking forward to our second annual symposium that will be held on Friday after the 6th Annual Swingin' & Singin for Cures Fundraiser. We hope to bring our panel back next year for those who missed the conference and to give us updates on new developments. We will be adding additional sessions to include presentations on research in the area of spinal cord injury, adult stem cell banking, cord blood banking, diabetes, and eye diseases.. to name a few. For more information please contact us.
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Type1Now Conference
April 2, 2011
Austin, Texas
The Austin chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) announces the first ever Type1Now Conference-a full day of education and resources on all aspects of living with the condition for all individuals personally affected by type 1. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Steve Ponder, a luminary in the field of diabetes management. Participants will have the rare opportunity to learn from respected professionals in the field as well as a chance to share practical tips and techniques for better management of the chronic disease. (..more)
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Becker Science Center's Annual Science Day
Co-organized by Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce
January 26, 2011
Austin, Texas
The Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce and the Becker Science Center are honored to sponsor an address by Gerard Hoehn, Ph.D., Medical Science Liaison for Oncology and Medical Affairs at Teva Pharmaceuticals, and a spokesperson for the Gamida Cell-TEVA Joint Venture (JV). The topic will be cell therapy, cord blood transplantation and the JV's Phase III, international, FDA clinical study of StemEx®. StemEx is being developed as an alternative to bone marrow transplantation for adolescents and adults with leukemia, lymphoma and other high risk hematological malignancies. A Question & Answer session will follow.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011, 6:45 - 8 p.m.
(A few seats are still available for the more technical lunch presentation at 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
Dell Jewish Community Campus/ Becker Science Center at Austin Jewish Academy Community Hall, Stageside 7300 Hart Lane Austin, TX 78731
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A Very Special Thank You ...
On behalf of our entire organization, we wish to thank Jack Allen's Kitchen for their exceptional support and for hosting multiple events in 2010.
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Texans for Stem Cell Research is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We continue to advocate for responsible public policy and promote the advancement of safe and effective stem cell research and therapy throughout Texas. We believe educating our citizens will allow Texas to regain its rightful place as a leader in stem cell medical research and treatments. In order to provide quality education, we rely on your continued support and donations. If you are interested in 2011 sponsorship opportunites, please contact David L. Bales (512) 797-2703.
Texans for Stem Cell Research 112 Windsor Suite 106
Austin, Texas 78703
(512) 797-2703
For More Information
Check out @helpattack... Pledge and Give to Texans for Stem Cell Research Each time you Tweet
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