Stem Cell Stories

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Stories from Our Patients Researchers' Stories Infographics and Photos

Stories from Our Patients

Fighting to End Huntington's Disease: A Mom's Perspective

Frances Saldaña lost her three children to Huntington's disease, a devastating neurodegenerative disease that has no cure. Despite her suffering, Saldaña continues to advocate for the funding of Huntington's disease research towards the development of new therapies.

Stem Cells and Eye Diseases: A Patient Perspective with Kristin MacDonald

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a genetically inherited disease that affects the photoreceptors at the back of the eye, leads to blindness. Kristin MacDonald was told she had RP at age 31 - a diagnosis that vaulted her into advocacy. She shares her story of living with blindness, participating in clinical trials, and hope for the future.

Stem Cells and Spinal Cord Injury: A Patient's Perspective with Jake Javier

An accident left Jake Javier paralyzed from the chest down the day before his high school graduation. Through a clinical trial, Javier received a transplant of 10 million stem cells and regained the use of his arms and hands. Javier shares his story of resilience, science, and hope.

Cancer Stem Cells: A Patient's Perspective with Sandra Dillon

Sandra Dillon was diagnosed with myelofibrosis, a life-threatening blood disorder that can lead to acute leukemia. After participating in clinical trials and cutting edge treatments, Dillon has a deep appreciation for personalized medicine and genomics.

Partners in Giving: A Family’s Experience Inspires Support for Stem Cell Science That Could Change Lives

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Researchers' Stories

Retinal Progenitor Cells for Treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa

Henry Klassen, MD, PhD

Dr. Klassen discusses retinal degeneration, particularly Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP)and Age-Related Muscular Degeneration (AMD).

Stem Based Therapy for Huntington's Disease

Leslie Thompson, PhD

Dr. Thompson discusses stem-cell-based therapy for Huntington's Disease as part of the CIRM 2020 Grantee Meeting.

Human Neural Stem Cell Efficacy and Repair

Aileen Anderson, PhD

Watch Dr. Anderson in this recorded session from the CIRM 2020 Grantee Meeting as she discusses human neural stem cells.

Developing Personalized Vaccines to Fight Glioblastoma

Daniela Bota, MD, PhD

Neuro-Oncologist and clinical director of the UC Irvine Alpha Stem Cell Clinic, Dr. Daniela Bota, explains the development and promise of tumor-derived vaccines to treat Glioblastoma, a resistant and devastating brain cancer.

United We Stand

Leonid Groysman, MD

Dr. Groysman discusses two different stem cells based clinical trials for COVID-19.

Researchers Announce Gene Therapy Cure for 18 ‘Bubble Baby’ Patients

Researchers at UCLA announced that they had cured 18 children who were born with the so-called Bubble Baby disease, a genetic disorder that leaves the young sufferers without a working immune system, putting them at risk of death from infections, even the common cold.