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Stem
Cells, Dr. David Harris, and the Jimi Hendrix Foundation
 Recently,
The Jimi Hendrix Foundation had the privilege of meeting Dr.
David T. Harris who has committed a significant amount of
his time and life to the study of stem cells and their role
in treating people with chronic diseases. He patiently
explained to us the importance of stem cells and how they
can be used ethically to treat people with chronic and
debilitating conditions. These conditions affect many people
in the world, including many in our own Renton, Washington,
community.
The Jimi Hendrix Foundation feels it is important for people
to know the facts of stem cell research and why we are
supporting this research. The following was written by Dr.
David Harris's team and describes the current work he and
his team are involved in to help battle degenerative
diseases.
Background:
"Stem cells are currently a hot topic, both in the lay press
as well as the scientific community. Stem cells are the
master cells of the body, giving rise to the cells and
tissues of each particular organ. More and more these days
it has come to be accepted that stem cells of one
embryological origin can give rise to tissues of other
derivations. Stem cells can be obtained from many sources
within the body including fcord blood, bone marrow and
adipose stem cells.
In Technical Terms:
"The ability of an individual's organ-specific stem cells to
repair tissue damage is thought to be sufficient up to and
for some time after reproductive maturity. However, the
regenerative capacity and/or the numbers of such cells are
often insufficient to meet the body's needs, particularly as
one grows older. Thus, the incidence of chronic and
degenerative diseases (e.g.; Parkinson's, diabetes, etc)
increases with age and now poses the greatest burden on the
health care system, as well as the greatest contributor to
loss of quality of life. For example, it is estimated that
in the USA at least 125 million individuals suffer from at
least one chronic disease that comprises approximately 80%
of all medical costs. California has set aside $3 billion
dollars over 10 years to pursue this field of science. Other
states have followed suit (including Wisconsin, New Jersey,
New York, and Massachusetts) to prevent a brain-drain to the
west. Thus, cell replacement therapy derived from stem cell
transplantation has spawned the development of regenerative
medicine.
Practical Application of Stem Cells
"The use of stem
cells for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
offers the potential to treat hundreds of thousands of
people that have chronic and debilitating diseases with
improved outcomes and reduced health costs. Currently, stem
cells are being investigated as treatments for myocardial
infarctions (heart attacks), stroke and spinal cord injury,
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and a variety of other
applications. |
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Stay Connected
with the foundation!
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Partnerships and Fund Raising
 We
are interested in hearing from educators,
musicians, schools, doctors, researchers and
other individuals and organizations that would
like to Partner with us in the deployment of our
programs. We also invite and encourage anyone
interested in becoming part of our Fund Raising
Team, that might like to co-produce an event,
concert, product, program, art work, picture or
sound media, to contact the Foundation's
Marketing Director to make arrangements. This
allows our Partners and Fund Raising Team
members to use Jimi Hendrix and the Foundation
in their branding and promotion of their project
or product.
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JMH
IS
POWERED BY DONATIONS
 If
you are interested in donating (funds or
instruments) please do so below or contact us
directly by one of the following means:
JMH Foundation
5400 Carillon Point
Building 5000
Suite 422A
Kirkland, WA 98033
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Dr. Harris and his team |
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In August 2006, the Jimi Hendrix Foundation
partnered with Dr. David T. Harris to offer our
assistance in any way possible. It is our hope
that we can generate both monetary and social
support for him and his team. |
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