Originally published on February 27, 2013.
Thanks to so many amazing Chapter leaders and SMA Families, we are aiming to raise over $1.6 Million to fund advancements in SMA research and critical family support and patient care programs. Over the next four months, our Chapters and SMA families will be hosting over 60 events including Walk-n-Rolls, Galas, Golf Tournaments and Marathons from New York to California.
Cure SMA is the world’s leader focused on funding SMA research to develop a treatment and cure for the disease. Cure SMA has invested over $55 million in research and has been involved in funding half of all the ongoing novel drug programs for SMA. There are currently 15 new therapies in development for SMA, with three in clinical trials. This is up from just four new therapies in development five years ago, and no clinical trials.
Cure SMA ‘s funding model is to develop seed ideas that will lead to new therapeutic drugs for SMA, and then partner with pharmaceutical companies to push these opportunities into clinical trials. 4 of the top 5 pharmaceutical companies are now involved in SMA drug programs. Earlier this year we had a major breakthrough, announcing the licensing of the Quinazoline Drug Program to Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. Cure SMA funded and directed the preclinical development of Quinazoline with an investment of more than $13 million. This was the first drug discovery program ever conducted specifically for SMA.
In addition to research, Cure SMA provides important programs to help support families such as our caring series booklets, newly diagnosed care packages as well as The Annual SMA Conference, the largest gathering in the world of SMA families, leading SMA researchers and medical professionals.
How can you get involved?
Check out the Cure SMA Events Calendar to get registered today and help make a difference in the lives of those affected by SMA.
Cure SMA has numerous fundraising resources to help you build a team and meet your personal fundraising goal, including online registration and fundraising pages, team captain packets, small fundraising ideas and more. In addition, we have our expert Development Team ready to help in any way we can. Contact us today at [email protected] or by calling 800.886.1762.