Foundation News

The 26 September 2008 launch of the Stem Cell Pilot Study The 26 September 2008 launch of the Stem Cell Pilot Study attracted media attention with Channel 10 Brisbane running an item in their main evening TV news on the same day. Brisbane’s main daily newspaper, The Courier-Mail, sent a journalist to interview Ian and… Continue reading More publicity for HSP

Over 40 people attended the 2008 HSPRF Workshop at Concord Hospital in Sydney. The Annual Workshop was held at Concord Hospital in conjunction with the AGM in October, 2008. Managing Spasticity – recent experiences: Steve Lunn & Col Harris, members of the HSPRF Community Steve described various treatments he had tried over the years, all… Continue reading 2008 HSPRF Workshop Report

Paola Arlotta, Ph.D.“Directed Differentiation of Neural Progenitors and iPS Cells into Corticospinal Motor Neurons” $60,000 for 1 year Janine Kirby PhD“Elucidation of upper motor neuron vulnerability in Primary Lateral Sclerosis” $55,908 for 1st year, $47,467 for 2nd year; total $103,375 Yasushi Kisanuki, M.D.“Paraplegia in HSP Rat: Analysis and treatment” $60,000 for 2 years; total $120,000… Continue reading SP Foundation’s 2008 Research Awards

Here is the latest newsletter of the HSP Support Group in the UK – HSP Newslink – published in September ’08 (pdf file).

Magnificent, inspiring and innovative effort Natalie Caruana, mother of Caeleigh who has HSP, ran in the City to Surf race to raise funds for the Foundation.  She and her team Caeleigh Crusaders Against HSP raised over $21,000, the highest total of all fundraisers in the City to Surf Charity Challenge.  What a magnificent, inspiring and… Continue reading Fundraising Innovation – an Everyday Hero

First ever print media publicity For the first time ever in Australia there has been a story (1.4MB pdf file) in a major paper on HSP.  Eligible bachelor, engineer and Foundation Fundraising Co-ordinator, Tim Xiros was featured in the article in the August 10th edition of Sydney’s Sunday Telegraph. Exceptional Response That led to a… Continue reading HSP story in Sunday Tele

Highlights from President’s report

Raises awareness of HSP and the Foundation A meeting of Neurologists and Neurogeneticists from across Sydney was held earlier in September to update the group on ataxias, spastic paraplegias and molecular diagnosis of spastic paraplegias. HSPRF President, Robin Bligh, was invited to speak to the gathering about the Foundation and its achievements. High level of… Continue reading HSPRF President addresses Neurologists

Currently our fundraising focus is on stem cell research stem cell research is the most promising path to a cure for HSP yet We need $100,000 for a pilot study, the first phase of this research.Members and supporters will get a letter about this in early May from our Fundraising Coordinator, Tim Xiros, whose profile… Continue reading Fund Raising for Stem Cell Research

Thanks to your $84,000 in donations, a gene testing service is now available in Australia for all Australians at risk of HSP.  It is a wonderful achievement for such a young Foundation and something of which we can all be pleased and proud. Read more about the Gene Testing Service