Canadian Stem Cell Foundation

The Stem Cell Charter Sign&Share Rally is on Now

Take the time now to show others that stem cell science is relevant, not just to scientists, but to everyone who believes in easing suffering, finding cures, and supporting individuals and families who are fighting disease. Read below about what you can do. www.stemcellcharter.org

What to do for the Stem Cell Charter Sign&Share Rally

The Stem Cell Charter is the first of its kind. And so is the Sign&Share Rally.

 

Take the time now to show others that stem cell science is relevant, not just to scientists, but to everyone who believes in easing suffering, finding cures, and supporting individuals and families who are fighting disease.

How can you do this? From noon on Thursday, November 12th to noon on Saturday, November 14th, join us for the first ever Stem Cell Charter Sign&Share Rally.

Here's what you need to do:

• Learn more about the Stem Cell Charter and stem cell research. (Dig a little deeper on our site and you'll find some pretty interesting content. If you haven't already, check out the 12 mini-videos by clicking on "Renew the World".)
• Digg the site
• Post links on facebook (and become a fan of The Stem Cell Charter)
• Tweet using the hashtag #stemcellcharter (and follow us @stemcellcharter)
• Use the share functions on the site to email your friends directly
• Blog about why you've signed the Charter and why you think others should
• Send an email to friends, family, and colleagues -- tell them what they need to know about stem cell science and the Stem Cell Charter

Thanks for your support!

Gairdner Week in Toronto

Today marks the start of Gairdner Week, a celebration of the Gairdner Foundation's 50th anniversary. Events run from October 28-30 in Toronto, and will count over 60 science superstars, including 20 Nobel laureates, in attendance. iPS cell-discoverer Shinya Yamanaka and Nobel-laureate Oliver Smithies are included in this group, as are Canadian Stem Cell Foundation "Rock Stars" Andras Nagy, Janet Rossant, Sam Weiss.

Check out this great write up about Gairdner Week in the Toronto Star: Superstars of science converge on Toronto.

New Organizational Signatories

It's been a busy month for the Charter. The community is growing - we're up to 1,650 signatures, and we're proud to welcome several new organizational signatories:

Australian Stem Cell Centre

Society for Developmental Biology

Canadian Blood Services

Cancer Stem Cell Consortium

We'd also like to thank our founding organizational signatories:

Stem Cell Network

Genetics Policy Institute

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Explore the Charter Universe

It's been two weeks since launch, and over 1200 people have signed the Stem Cell Charter. People are embracing the idea of a voluntary code of ethics for stem cell research, and becoming part of a growing community of supporters.

So, now that you've signed, what else can you do? Exploring the website is a good start:

• watch mini videos featuring different scientists speaking about their work
• get an introduction to stem cells and the potential within the science
• read about how stem cell therapies apply to different diseases like Parkinson's, MS, cancer and diabetes
• and, of course, share the Charter with friends, family and colleagues

Thank you to everyone who has signed!

Stem Cell Awareness Day

Today is Stem Cell Awareness Day, an event that brings together organizations and individuals around the world who are working towards realizing the benefits of stem cell science.

Some highlights:

• The California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is sponsoring a worldwide poetry contest
• The World Stem Cell Summit is taking place in Baltimore, MD
• Monash University is hosting a webcast linking international stem cell scientists as well as video seminars and live Q&A by leaders in the field
• The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) is hosting a Stem Cell Image Contest and screening the documentary Terra Incognita: Mapping Stem Cell Research
• And, of course, the Canadian Stem Cell Foundation has released the Stem Cell Charter

Visit the Stem Cell Awareness Day website to find out more about these events, learn more about stem cell science and support the people involved. And help move stem cell research forward by signing the Stem Cell Charter.

stemcellcharter.org is live!

Sign the Charter, explore the site and share with friends.

Also, check out some of our media coverage:

CTV: Canadians to present ethics code for stem cell studies

CBC: Stem cell research guidelines to be proposed at U.S. summit

Canadian Press: Canadian-made code of ethics for stem cell research stresses public trust

Release of the Stem Cell Charter

The Stem Cell Charter is set to be released tomorrow. Once the site goes live, visit stemcellcharter.org. Watch the "Rock Star Scientists" video, read and sign the Charter, and explore the Charter universe.