Summit for Stem Cell Foundation is a 501(c)(3). Summit’s mission is to support, educate and raise awareness about the development of today’s and tomorrow’s evidence-based regenerative medical therapies focused on Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. It is our goal to empower patients and their caregivers with the information to elevate their understanding in order to manage their healthcare.
Summit's three main programs (Education, Research, & Patient Services) are designed to bridge the informational gap between fast-paced evidence-based scientific discoveries and the medical & public communities. Our programs focus on elevating public and professional understanding about Parkinson's disease (PD), regenerative medicine & stem cells, evidence-based research, and the clinical trial & regulatory process.
The organization began in 2011 and successfully funded Dr. Jeanne Loring's research project: autologous dopamine neuron replacement therapy. (Summit even opened its own lab to support the brilliant body of science.) To expedite the journey from bench to bedside, the project was eventually transferred to a biotech company (Aspen Neuroscience) formed specifically for the project and has raised $250 million as of early 2023. Clinical trials are hopeful to begin by the end of 2023.
Having accomplished its first mission, Summit continues its work for those with PD with conviction and dedication raising funds for a patient-oriented wellness center that will offer help in every aspect of PD. Doctors can confidently refer their patients knowing services are designed by leaders in PD care. A person with newly diagnosed or progressing PD along with their caregivers can find well-rounded help in education, physical therapy, and many other areas finding the empowerment to live the best life they possibly can.