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A chance meeting on board a cruise to the West Indies resulted in a generous donation for researchers at Griffith’s National Centre for Adult Stem Cell Research (NCASCR).
Corporate Relations Manager for the Paraplegic Benefit Fund (PBF) and cricket fan, Tony South was travelling to the West Indies for the 2007 test series when he met Kevin Young on board a cruise ship.
Kevin and his wife Kathy, founders of property investment group The Investors Club, were so impressed by Tony’s passion and commitment and by the work of the PBF that they donated $100,000 to the group.
As part of their gift, Mrs Young, and Mr Marshal Shaw, State Manager PBF, came to the Eskitis Institute to present a $5000 new incubator to the National Centre for Centre for Adult Stem Cell Research.
Centre Director Professor Alan Mackay-Sim said incubators were a fundamental piece of research equipment enabling researchers to grow cells outside of an organism.
“This technique is vital in developing our understanding of adult stem cells and ultimately to helping us find treatments for spinal cord injuries,” he said.
The PBF aims to reduce the impact and incidence of spinal cord injury, running prevention programs and supporting those with injuries as well as supporting research into a cure for permanent paralysis.
The fund has followed Professor Mackay-Sim’s work since he and his team began exploring the use of olfactory stem cells in treating spinal cord injuries, and have provided financial assistance to this research.
Late last year Professor Mackay-Sim and his research team completed Phase 1 of a clinical trial that involved the transplantation of a patient’s stem cells to repair the damaged spinal cord. The results of the first phase will be published shortly.
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