New York State Spinal Cord Research Trust Fund Awards $3.6 Million in GrantsChristopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation Governor George E. Pataki today announced the first of an ongoing series of grants for spinal cord injury (SCI) research giving New Yorkers new hope that today's scientific research will someday lead to the cure of spinal cord injury paralysis. At a press conference today in New York City, State Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello M.D., M.P.H., Dr. P.H., was joined by Christopher Reeve, actor, activist and Chairman of the Board of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, to formally announce the awards.  The grants, totaling $3.6 million, support a total of ten research projects at academic institutions throughout New York State. The research awards are funded by the New York State Spinal Cord Research Trust Fund, established by Governor Pataki in 1998. "With an estimated 16,000 New Yorkers living with paralysis and other effects of spinal cord injury, we must do everything possible to advance the scientific research that will ultimately lead us to a cure, " Governor Pataki said. "When I created the Spinal Cord Injury Research Board and Trust Fund, it was with the sole purpose of supporting innovative scientific ideas and approaches that will lead to a breakthrough in curing spinal cord injury paralysis. I am hopeful that with this new funding mechanism, we are moving closer to discovering that cure." New York State is the first in the nation to establish a trust fund dedicated solely to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries. In addition, New York now provides more funding than any other State for this critical research. Health Commissioner Novello said, "Thanks to Governor Pataki's foresight and commitment to spinal cord injury research, New York is leading the nation in providing important resources for spinal cord injury research. The awards announced today will ultimately improve the quality of life for the estimated 200,000 Americans who are coping courageously with paralysis." Christopher Reeve said, "The funds collected from violations of the New York Vehicle and Traffic laws will leverage the research already being done in New York State in the neurosciences. It is very encouraging to know that this new source of funds will provide these ten awardees and others following in their footsteps the remarkable chance to pursue research opportunities to help accelerate the process of finding new therapies and an eventual cure for spinal cord injury." The ten awardees were chosen based on the scientific merit of the proposals. Specifically, proposals were evaluated for both scientific and technical merit as well as their relevance to treatments and cures of spinal cord injury paralysis. The 13-member SCI Research Board comprises top scientists, physicians and other experts dedicated to spinal cord research and is chaired by Dr. Robert C. Griggs of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Also serving on the board are Christopher Reeve, actor, activist and Chairman of the Board of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, and retired New York State Police Sergeant Paul Richter, both prime advocates behind the spinal cord legislation which became effective January 1, 1999. Paul Richter said, "I congratulate, but at the same time urge, the grant recipients to remember that their work is so very important for those living with the devastation of spinal cord injury. These research projects bring real hope to those suffering from paralysis. I believe the cure for spinal cord injury paralysis will be found as a result of the New York's historic, narrowly-focused research and I thank Governor Pataki and Commissioner Novello for their leadership in making this program a top priority." The Spinal Cord Research Trust Fund is financed through an existing surcharge currently imposed on drivers who receive traffic tickets. Under the legislation, a portion of the surcharge -- which varies depending on the infraction is targeted directly toward the new Trust Fund. It is expected to raise $8.5 million annually. Paralysis and other effects of spinal cord injury result from disrupted communication between the brain and areas below the injury site. Cures will follow from a more complete understanding of all facets of communication that have been blocked, imbalanced or otherwise disrupted by injury. From this will follow the identification and development of new therapies and treatments for spinal cord injury. The awardees of the first New York State Spinal Cord Injury Research Grant Competition will help to fill gaps in knowledge in order to bridge voids in communication as sociated with injury. Funded projects investigate how axons, the part of the nerve that acts like communication cable, can navigate over long distances, pass through appropriate check points and ultimately locate and connect with appropriate targets. Additionally, other projects will determine why some types of nerves are able to repair and regenerate while others cannot. Also investigated will be new communication signals that might be generated by cells during injury and the cues required by cells to repair or regenerate. Results from these projects should contribute to future efforts to enhance nerve repair and restore function. Further awards from the Trust Fund will continue to be made by the Board with new spinal cord injury research proposals being solicited for its next grant competition as early as January 2001. A complete list of the awards announced today is attached. SPINAL CORD INJURY RESEARCH PROJECT AWARDS Albert Einstein College of Medicine Hunter College of City University of New York Mount Sinai School of Medicine New York Medical College Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. State University of New York at Stony Brook Joseph Fetcho State University of New York, Upstate Medical University University of Rochester Jay Yang
For more information, or to contact Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, see their website at: www.christopherreeve.org |
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