[bostoncure.org] Status August 12, 2002

[Art Mellor]

Boston Cure Project informal status since last reported on 8/12/02:

>>> Joining Us This Month

o We have 2 new additions to our Scientific Advisory Board:
  - Rip Kinkel (new director of MS Clinic at the BI)
  - Allitia DiBernardo (of MS Primer fame)

  We are still pulling together their bios, so they aren't on the web
  yet. We'll let you know when they are.

>>> Cure Map

o The main efforts of this past month have been doing due diligence on
  our large-scale and multi-disciplinary tissue and data bank concept
  as a means for implementing the Cure Map. 
  http://www.bostoncure.org/resources/downloads/tissuedatabank-overview.pdf

  Our meetings have all indicated that our logic is sound and that
  there is significant value in persuing this idea.  We have recently
  spoken with:

  - Michele Trucksis, MD, PhD Umass Medical School
  - Alberto Ascherio, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Epidemiology and
    Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health
  - Nancy Simonian, MD, Vice President of Clinical Development at
    Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc 
  - Barry Bloom, Dean of Harvard University School of Public Health
  - Steve Jacobson, PhD, Senior Investigator, NIH
  - Don Gilden, MD, Chairman Department of Neurology, University of
    Colorado School of Medicine 

o We have also been meeting with Genomics Collaborative Inc. in
  Cambridge as a possible supplier of tissue banking services.

o Finished first draft analysis of spontaneous mutations as possible
  contributor to MS

>>> Education

This month we had the posting of two major documents, both available
on this page http://www.bostoncure.org/default.php?nav=news&topic=documents

o Multiple Sclerosis Primer by Allitia DiBernardo, M.D.
o Operations, Incentives, and Strategies within the American
  Healthcare Market with a Focus on Multiple Sclerosis by Stacy Schwartz

The MSNews site is continuing to draw new readers. We really need to
get people making comments - don't be afraid, you can even comment
anonymously. Check it out at http://msnews.bostoncure.org

>>> Community Building

Robotham Creative (www.robotham.com) has come to us to create a Public
Service Announcement for the Boston Cure Project. We did the initial
filming for the spot at High Output in Brighton with the help of
volunteers:
 - Anna Peabody
 - Nancy Kaplan
 - David Shute
 - Tom Robotham
 - Richard Foley
 - Emily Jones
 - Jim Corrig
 - Noreen Henson
 - Maiana Borsody
 - Jeni Zaharian
 - JJ Fenza
 - Mesa Bourse
 - Maggie Harling

The Fall Newsletter is close to being ready for layout.

>>> Events

The Scavenger Hunt run by Kim Labow and Debbie Mellor (and staffed by
many volunteers) is shaping up nicely. This Saturday is the last day
to register. Even if you don't register, you can come to the "after
party" on 10/5 - there will be a big party and a silent
auction. Please come by! Details: http://www.bostoncure.org/hunt

Comedian and person with MS, Jonathan Katz, has agreed to be the main
speaker at our Second Annual Boston Cure Party for Multiple Sclerosis
on November 23rd, 7pm at the MIT Faculty Club in Cambridge. Please
send us the contact info for anyone you feel we should be inviting.

>>> Fundraising

Remember, you can support our efforts by contributing:
http://www.bostoncure.org/default.php?nav=involved

The web site for the Anna Peabody Fund, a named fund to support the
Boston Cure Project went live this past month at
http://www.annapeabody.org and is already bringing money in!

Bethany Martel hosted a birthday party and used it to raise money in
honor of her mother Karla Martel for the Boston Cure Project - thanks
Bethany.

>>> Volunteer Efforts Not Mentioned Elsewhere 

o The Web Update project is making some progress in between Theresa's
  hand surgeries - can't keep her from typing!
o The Newly Diagnosed Brochure is making steady progress with Help
  from Cynthia King, Maggie Harling, Lisa Paine, and David Shute (plus
  many, many people who have let us interview them)
o Rich Braun is helping us with a co-marketing/fundraising effort with
  Fitsense Corp.
o Sean Langan helped us locate a terrifically priced computer to use
  as the MSNews server
o Ronda Jacobsen continues to provide amazing introductions all over
  the place
o Margaret Doris continues to help us out in many ways, including
  reviewing documents like Stacy's
o Brian Del Vecchio helped install and set up a database on our server
  in anticipation of the new web site.

-- 
...............................................................................
    Art Mellor     : HTTP> http://www.bostoncure.org : Boston Cure Project
art at bostoncure.org :       * Donate Online *         : for Multiple Sclerosis
Cell> 617/899-2360 : Main> 781/788-0880              : Fax> 781/788-8118

 What is wanted is not the will to believe, but the wish to find out,
		     which is the exact opposite.
			 -- Bertrand Russell