Posts Tagged research
MS Research
Posted by admin in Alexander, MS research on November 20th, 2009
Posted by Moishe Alexander
MS Research Accomplishments During Past 10 Years
MS research continues to advance knowledge of the disease and treatment for people with MS. There is much greater understanding of this unpredictable, often disabling disease. Many of those accomplishments have taken place in the past 10 years thanks to the support of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and its sister national MS societies around the world, many governments and private industry. Here are some key advances:
* There are treatments for some types of multiple sclerosis.
o They are useful in relapsing MS
o Their impact on development of disability still not clear
* Researchers have developed “windows” into the disease through technology.
o MRI scanning assists doctors in diagnosing MS more quickly
o Canadians are leaders in MRI and other magnetic resonance technology to measure disease activity within the central nervous system
* We have evidence myelin can and does regrow spontaneously which indicates repair is possible.
o Myelin repair and regrowth takes place in the early stages of MS
o Studies are underway using the body’s own cells to repair myelin
* Investigators have a better understanding of the nature of MS which means some types of MS can be more effectively managed. This is because of :
o Studies of MS tissue (pathology)
o Studies of the immune system (immunology)
o Studies of the way MS naturally progresses without treatment (natural history studies)
* Scientists have identified key molecules responsible for initiating the abnormal immune system response in MS.
o Identifying the “culprits” will lead to better therapies
* There is understanding that both genetic and environmental factors are important in the cause of MS.
o More than one gene is involved
o The excess of MS in some families is due to genetic factors
o A major genetic study is taking place in Canada
* Studies have found that MS is a costly disease.
o The cost of MS is higher than many other diseases because it lasts a lifetime
o Most of the cost of MS is borne by people with MS and their families
o The cost of the disease is greater the more disabled a person becomes
Moishe Alexander donates to MS Society of Canada
Posted by admin in Health Services on October 8th, 2009
MS Research: What does the “cure” mean to you?
For people living with multiple sclerosis the “cure” means different things to different people. For people who have just been diagnosed, the cure will stop MS in its tracks. For people who have lived with MS and have experienced loss of mobility and other serious impairments, the cure means repair of the nervous system and recovery of lost functions.
For people with a family history of MS, the cure will allow their children or grandchildren to live a life free from MS.
The research funded by the MS Society addresses all three definitions of a cure. Research is multi-faceted but with clear purpose:
* to find a cure for MS,
* protect the nervous system and repair damage caused by MS, and
* improve monitoring and management of the disease.
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada marks one year anniversary of endMS campaign
With over $41 million raised, five regional research and training centres launched and a growing number of educational events aimed at MS researchers and trainees, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada proudly marks one year since the launch of its endMS capital campaign.
In this video, Yves Savoie, president and chief executive officer of the MS Society of Canada highlights the achievements since the inception of the campaign.
ICRF History
Posted by admin in Aid Services, Environmental, Health, Hockey, Israel, School, Torah, Uncategorized, Youth, family on July 9th, 2009
The Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF) supports groundbreaking cancer research by outstanding scientists in Israel. It is a voluntary charitable organization funded exclusively by private donations. Israeli researchers have been at the forefront of many of this decade’s most exciting developments in cancer research.
ICRF acts like the venture capital bank of cancer funding in Israel. Unlike many of the enormous government and private “cancer establishment” funding institutions, ICRF is open to imaginative new approaches and will often take a risk on new ideas. Research grants are awarded based strictly on merit – they do not favour any individual, institution or scientific point of view. The grant review process is rigorous, ensuring that only the most promising cancer research is funded. ICRF’s Scientific Review Panel is composed of more than 30 leading cancer researchers from Canada and the United States.
ICRF was founded in 1975 by a group of Canadian and American researchers, oncologists and lay people who were committed to the growth and development of Israel and to fighting cancer. They realized that a unique confluence of circumstance had positioned Israel to excel at cancer research:
Superb scientists: Israel has the world’s highest per capita concentration of scientists and physicians. The only thing the country needs more of is money to properly fund research.
Cost-effective research: the cost of conducting a research project in Israel is
30 per cent less than that of running the same project in Canada and the United States.
Well-equipped research network: Israel has a network of well-equipped laboratories, sophisticated hospitals and universities. Monies contributed go directly to advancing knowledge, not on constructing buildings or paying administrative costs.
Unified health care system: all Israelis belong to a national medical program, so record keeping and bio-statistical data collection are relatively simple.
Ethnic diversity: the Israeli population comprises of ethnic groups from many countries, making the nation itself a superb “laboratory” in which to study the role of environmental and cultural factors in the development of cancer.
http://www.icrfbuzz.org/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7:about-icrf&catid=6:about-icrf&Itemid=8
reviewed by Moishe Alexander, CFC Canadian funding corp CEO