News from Partnership for Cures

Office Depot will provide any non-profit with cards they can distribute to supporters that provide benefits for the supporter and for the non-profit. the supporter gets a 10% discount for almost any online or in store purchase. The non-profit receives a donation equal to 5% of what the supporter spends.

This program can generate thousands of new philanthropic dollars at a time when we need them.

If you are interested in supporting PFC or ANY OTHER CHARITY YOU ARE CONNECTED TO, please contact Neil at neilhirschplus@gmail.com

Please help us to help others.

Partnership for Cures (PFC) raises funds for Rediscovery Research that reuses, recombines and reapplies existing science and medicine to quickly, safely and affordably create new treatments for patients with catastrophic diseases who need help NOW.

Thank you for your support!

Dear Supporter,

As this year ends, instead of a staff editorial, Chicago Career Tech participant, Ted Edwards, interviews Bruce Bloom to learn more about PFC:

1) Bruce - how is PFC unique and what is the mission?

PFC raises funds for research that reuses, recombines and reapplies existing science and medicine to quickly, safely and affordably bring forth treatments for patients with catastrophic diseases who can benefit immediately. Our focus on "rediscovery" makes us unique.

2) Why should someone who wants to donate to a good cause choose PFC?

There are thousands of good causes, but few deliver as much impact in such a timely manner for those facing life and death. Our researchers deliver treatments that can touch the lives of those who have a life threatening diseases within a few short years. That's a dynamic return on investment.

3) Can you tell us about the new Patient Impact Initiative (PII)?

In October 2010 we announced the launch of Patient Impact Initiative, a global collaboration of philanthropists, disease specific Voluntary Health Organizations (VHOs), research institutions, researchers, patient advocacy groups, industry, media and lay leaders that drive better treatments and cures through Rediscovery Research. This will signficiantly expand the impact of PFC, and shine a spotlight on the Rediscovery Research that we know can help patients ASAP.

4) You're married and have two grown children. So much of the work PFC does seem to impact childhood illnesses. Is that merely coincidental or do you have a special mission for helping kids?

Our founders, George and Judy Goldman, have always said that "Children are our future." Children didn't ask to come into this world. It's up to us to care for those who can't take care of themselves. PFC funders and researchers have already created real treatments for children with ALPS and FD, and we're working on many other childhood diseases.

5) Bruce, you and the PFC Board members all seem to be very involved in a wide variety of business, humanitarian and social endeavors. How does this broad interest and involvement reflect on the mission PFC?

I think PFC is a reflection of how our leadership team looks at life. PFC doesn't focus on one illness or one disease. We focus funding new ways to deliver solutions wherever there is need and using whichever tools seem to be available. We save lives using treatments and drugs that are ready now. Just as our group has many interests, PFC is finding many cures. We can't help but be passionate about that.

6) What do you foresee for PFC in the near and mid term?

I see the Patient Impact Initiative taking off in 2011. The effectiveness of our approach resonates with all our stakeholders. We will see capital grow more as stakeholders see the value that can be created through the use of repurposed drugs and other treatments. We have also opened new avenues for philanthropic investors and research centers to partner with us in this timely, critical mission.

How did Ted do? Let us know....

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All the best for a healthy and happy new year.

PFC Science Updates

Prostate Cancer (view this video) - Our two projects at University of Chicago have now completed their first year. The clinical trial of laser ablation of prostate tumors has been a great success, with 8 patients successfully treated with no long term side effects and no evidence of remaining cancer!

Batten Disease-We are pleased to announce that our hard JAB Logo work has paid off! A new gene therapy clinical trial began December 7 at Weill Cornell Medical Center in NYC to treat this currently fatal childhood disease. The organizers of the Jasper Against Batten Fund have raised over $1M in the last 18 months and PFC has worked closely with Weill Cornell researchers to get the funding and approvals in place. Keep your fingers crossed that this repurposed gene therapy will reverse the brain cell destruction that cripples and then kills these otherwise normal children!

Click here to see all of the updates on our website

PFC Rediscovery Research News

Autism - Many recent publications discuss potential drug repurposing for diseases with no current effective treatment. For example, a recent article was published in the journal Brain Imaging and Behavior discussing the impact of an existing heart drug called propanolol on patients on the autism spectrum. Here is a link to the article, entitled,

"Effect of Propranolol on Functional Connectivity in Autism Spectrum Disorder-A Pilot Study."

There are literally thousands of reports like this in the medical literature just waiting for PFC and our funders and researchers to determine whether the initial observations can be verified to lead to a "new" treatment. In the last 4 weeks we have received over a dozen ideas for repurposing existing drugs for conditions such as Autism, Liver Cancer, Crohn's Disease, Myelodysplastic Syndrome, Sickle Cell Anemia and others.

Patient Impact Initative (PII) Kickoff

The Patient Impact Initiative will raise and manage funding to support Rediscovery Research of science and medicine that already exists in the clinic, lab and literature, to bring life changing impact to a wide variety of patients while they are still healthy enough to benefit. The Patient Impact Initiative will inspire scientists and clinicians (and other interested parties outside of medicine) to create and complete pilot clinical trials and other Rediscovery Research projects to impact patients.

In the last 30 days, a number of prestigious research institutions have singed up to become Charter Partners in the Patients Impact Initiative, providing co-funding support and developing Rediscovery Research projects for a Model Portfolio. Our first Charter Partner was the Menninger Clinic, one of the premier mental health research and treatment facilities in the world, located in Houston.

Since them the University of Massachussets, the University of Texas, and the University of Southern California have all signed up, and we are in discussions with the Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, University of Chicago, Northwestern, and a number of other institutions.

Once we reach about a dozen Charter Partners we will begin to gather the projects into the Model Portfolio and begin fundraising!

We have also begun to partner with disease specific non-profits such as the AKU Society from England, which focuses on the disease Alkaptonuria (AKU for short), which is a painful, debilitating and rare genetic disease that affects the cartilage and bone, slowly destroying them.

AKU Society Chairman Dr. Nichoas Sireau said "We are extremely pleased to be working with Partnership for Cures. AKU We have already started designing a protocol for clinical trials with our partners at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital to develop treatments for AKU using existing drugs such as Nitisinone. Partnership for Cures will help us in particular with fundraising over the next 18 months."

PFC and Menninger Clinic Announce New Strategic Partnership

PFC and the Menniger Clinic held a join Partnership Kick-off event at the home of PFC supporters Dr. Ralph and Dolores Barnett. The guests heard from PFC Researchers Drs. Scott Eggener (U Chicago) and Jeff Borgia (Rush) who are working on Rediscovery Research in prostate and lung cancer.

Menninger CEO Ian Aitken described the mission of Menniger Clinic, and announced the groundbreaking of a new Mental Health Epicenter to be built in Houston to house the expanded Menninger Clinic.

Most of us know someone suffers the effects of a mental illness. One in five American adults suffers from some form of psychiatric disorder. There are more effective treatments for mental illness than ever before, yet the stigma continues to prevent people from seeking treatment until the situation is critical.

Menninger and PFC will work together to provide drug repurposing and other Rediscovery Research in mental health.