Category Archives: Recent News

CFC Donors … 2023 Message from the President

YOU NEED TO KNOW …..

1. 95 to 98 Percent to Research – For many years we have consistently had an AFR between 2-5%. That means that over 95 cents of every dollar donated goes to Parkinson’s research. The founders pay, out of their own personal funds, for all expenses (the 2%-5%) to administer the Parkinson’s and Brain Research Foundation. Therefore, it is more accurate to state that 100% of your gift goes to medical research.

Continue reading CFC Donors … 2023 Message from the President

Parkinsons Gaucher story … by Ellen Sidransky M.D.

As a physician and a scientist, I study a rare disorder, Gaucher disease. I have been motivated to continue to study Gaucher disease for the past 25 years because I feel that our understanding of basic aspects of this disorder are still lacking, and that my patients with Gaucher disease, whom I have grown to know and love, will benefit from these discoveries.

Unexpected Association – However during the past 10 years, a discovery made in the Gaucher clinic has shown that studying a rare disorder can also have far broader implications. We noted that a few of our patients with Gaucher disease developed symptoms of Parkinson disease. This was a relatively rare occurrence, and initially we thought that it could be a coincidence- after all, having a rare disorder does not make you immune from other common diseases. But the finding persisted, and in 1994, I published an article describing 18 patients with Gaucher disease who had developed a seemingly unrelated movement disorder, Parkinson disease.

Parkinson disease is a common disorder that is known to have a complex inheritance. This means that unlike Gaucher disease, which results from mutations in one specific gene, Parkinson disease can have many causes and many genes likely contribute to how the disease presents. Patients with Parkinson disease develop a resting tremor that often begins on one side, but they can also have slowed movements, unstable posture and gait, and at times, dementia. It affects about 1.5% of the population over age 65, and the risk increases with advancing age. There are disorders associated with Parkinson disease called the Lewy body dementias that have similar manifestations, but more progressive dementia.

Continue reading Parkinsons Gaucher story … by Ellen Sidransky M.D.

21st Century Research … a new approach

 

The Parkinson’s and Brain Research Foundation is supporting leading medical scientists in the United States and Europe who are pursuing a 21st century approach to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Prominent researchers at Harvard University, the National Institutes of Health, and University College London discovered the most common genetic risk factor for Parkinson disease – mutation of the GBA gene – a gene that causes a rare hereditary brain disorder called Gaucher. Carriers of this Gene are predisposed to the development of Parkinson’s – and – Recent and unexpected findings show the possibility of a shared pathogenic mechanism. The Parkinson’s and Brain Research Foundation is seeking a cure for Parkinson’s by funding medical research with prominent scientists who are focusing on the GBA Link. Medical history is awash with examples of progress being made on one disease as a result of links to another disease.  Our International Scientific Advisory Board chooses cutting-edge multi-disciplinary medical research – research that takes a 21st Century approach – a new approach to solve the mystery of Parkinson’s.

One Small Discovery – can unlock the mystery. Your Gift – can help find a cure.

The only thing incurable, is our passion!

 

Our 100% Commitment

Yes – Parkinson’s and Brain Research Foundation is run efficiently. Yes – we work hard to have extremely  low administrative overhead. Yes – the founders pay, personally, for the administrative overhead. Yes – this all means that 100% of your gift goes to medical research.

Over and over we are asked, “Is it true that 100% of donations go to medical research”? The answer is YES. 100% of every donation goes to medical research.  All costs for postage, printing, website development, etc., are paid for by the founders.

There may not be another charitable organization that can make this commitment, therefore it deserves an explanation.

Continue reading Our 100% Commitment