NY Stem Cell Foundation Research Study

Before I left Manhattan yesterday to return to my upstate NY ice castle, I participated in a New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Study.  A biopsy of my skin was taken that would allow scientists to turn the skin cells into stem cells for research purposes.

According to the NYSCF, stem cells are important in research because these cells:

1. can become any kind of cell within the human body including *ahem* brain cells
2. can be regrown in the lab indefinitely

Here is a great primer on the topic from the Michael J. Fox Foundation: 

• Stem Cells and Parkinson's Disease

And for your further reading pleasure, here are some recent news articles on the subject:

• Researchers Fast-Forward Stem Cell Aging to Study Degenerative Diseases
• Nobel laureate says stem cell research is leading to breakthrough treatments
• New tools for disease research: reprogrammed cells in disease modeling

The entire procedure took about 30 minutes and when it was over, I had a few stitches in my upper arm and a $50 dollar gift card (hello, fancy hair gel!).  The study still needs more participants so if you are interested, here is the contact information:

NYSCF Human Subjects Research Office

212 927 1801

HSR@NYSCF.org

My thinking behind research participation is simple: If 99 of the 100 studies I participate in fail, that's ok because all it takes is one study to succeed to make all the difference in Parkinson's research. 

Again, that is why I have signed-up with the Fox Trial Finder and I hope that you will do the same. We need participants with PD and individuals who do not have Parkinson's.

https://foxtrialfinder.michaeljfox.org/

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to return to purchasing high end hair products with my sweet gift card!