It is with great pleasure and mountains of hope that we sent this $25,000 grant to Dr. Hans Keirstead at University of California, Irvine on behalf of each and every single Facebook user that voted for the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation in the first round of the $5M Chase Community Giving campaign. We promised that we'd give every single penny - 100% - of anything we received from the first round to Dr. Keirstead's groundbreaking SMA stem cell program and - true to our word - the check went out via Fedex this afternoon. This research has instilled so much hope in so many families impacted by SMA and we hope that this grant can help Dr. Keirstead and his team accelerate the program to human clinical trials as safely and efficiently as possible.
15 comments:
...and who says money doesn't buy happiness?
This photo of the check brought ME happiness, Bill and Victoria, so I can just imagine the pleasure and satisfaction you must have to be able to make this contribution to this most important cause and mission.
Congratulations - you guys are great!
Congratulations again. The million is within reach! Love you g:)
I'm not sure why this seems to make me so emotional, but ... I am PROUDLY crying tears of joy!!! You guys are amazing.
SMA doesn't stand a chance ... we're coming closer and closer to our cure because of you.
woo hoo!! Thanks for all you do for SMA!!
AMAZING. That's the biggest handwritten check I've ever seen. You guys are awesome.
A wonderful picture indeed!!!!
PS - I love what BRANDI wrote above:
"SMA doesn't stand a chance."
THE FORCE is...with us - and against SMA - thanks to all of your efforts to unite for the cause.
Pretty amazing, isn't it?
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night......this is a miracle! I am so proud of U Bill and all U and Victoria do besides stellar parenting of 'lil girl. U are amazing! I am doing my 'finger exercises' so they will be warmed Up and Ready for round 2 of the Chase Community Giving contest. And thank U for the best Christmas present ever, Bill!
I'm so happy for you all!! This money is going to help change the lives of so many affected by SMA.
--Mari
YAY! Dancing over here!! I can't wait until we celebrate the end of this *$^@^@ing disease! Sparkling cider on me!
Hugs and love to you guys!!!
This is so cool!! Thx for sharing. I had no doubt it would all go to Dr. Keirstead.
Amazing! I'm so excited for the clinical trials to start...as are so many families, I'm sure. This money will help so much!
And with that check,great hope for all these amazing children!So proud of you all.
Very, very cool! I am thrilled for you guys!
If you'd asked me who your valuable check could be given to at best, I'd certainly also said: to Dr. Hans Keirstead. He is admirable in his research, his perseveration and in his true commitment to the grand task of overcoming this condition. I believe in him and in the method he'll use to cure SMA.
But YOU are amazing too, Victoria and Bill. We are all very happy and thankful people like you have the courage to give your lives not only to your beautiful daughter Gwendolyn but to all the others too, who have the misfortune to be born carrying SMA.
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