(PRWEB) September 25, 2008
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.
Connecting for Kids: Campaign 2008 will inspire dialogue about the importance of stem cell research worldwide and it will encourage those who want to see these potential medical breakthroughs advanced, to lend their support to our campaign.
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."
We encourage you to join the discussion, to ask questions about this exciting and promising area, to share what hopes you have for stem cell research and to encourage your friends and family to visit as well: sickkidsus.org.
About SickKids Foundation:
SickKids Foundation was established in 1972. Its mission is to inspire its communities to invest in health and scientific advances to improve the lives of children and their families in Canada and around the world. Its vision is: "Healthier Children. A Better World.™"
For more information, please visit http://www.sickkidsfoundation.com.
For more information contact:
Tel: 416-813-6166 Ext. 2021, c: 416-459-5229
Email: chelsea.novak @ sickkidsfoundation.com