The Golden West Chapter of The ALS Association announces their endorsement of Proposition 14 – the Californians for Stem Cell Research, Treatments and Cures Initiative of 2020 – that will appear on the November ballot in California. The Golden West Chapter joins with a broad coalition of dedicated patient advocates, families facing ALS, Nobel Prize winners, and respected medical professionals and scientists in supporting this proposition.

Proposition 14 will renew funding for the continued advancement of treatments and cures that could improve the lives of millions living with chronic diseases and conditions, including ALS. The Initiative would authorize $5.5 billion in state general obligation bonds to fund the development of vital treatments and cures, and it will also help stimulate the state’s economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more about the details of the initiative, please visit YESon14.com.

In 2004, voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 71 with nearly 60% of the vote—establishing the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to fund research and therapy development throughout the state to advance lifesaving and life-changing medical research and treatments for chronic diseases and conditions that touch nearly all California families. CIRM’s program has already saved and improved the lives of many patients, including those living with ALS, by awarding over $79 million in grants dedicated to ALS research and supporting the advancement of two clinical programs that have shown promising results.  

“California’s stem cell program has made remarkable progress in accelerating scientific discovery and developing the potential for effective treatments and cures so desperately needed for those suffering from chronic diseases and conditions,” said Fred Fisher MSW, LCSW, President and CEO of The ALS Association Golden West Chapter. “For those with ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases, we must continue the effort that began in 2004 and ensure the passage of the 2020 initiative.”

In addition to the advancements in ALS, CIRM has also provided funding for discoveries related to cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases like COVID-19 and much more. CIRM has supported the progression of more than 90 clinical trials, two FDA-approved cancer treatments, new treatments that are already being fast-tracked for FDA approval and nearly 3,000 published medical discoveries.

The proposition also provides a stimulus package for California to rebuild the state’s economy. CIRM’s program has generated $10.7 billion in increased economic activity in California by creating tens of thousands of jobs, increasing state tax revenues, increasing economic output and attracting outside world class talent, business and investments to California.

Past investments in California stem cell research have supported clinical trials in ALS. They have also saved and improved lives – a high school student who was paralyzed in a diving accident was able to regain function in his upper body and go on to college, a mother who went blind from a genetic disease continues to experience improved vision, two FDA-approved cancer treatments are already saving lives, and many more.

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