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Donor comments:

The importance of this gift for me is that it keeps alive Russ’ dream of finding a cure for diabetes. By collaborating with the best minds in research, we will achieve that dream, and improve the health and lives of millions of people who live with this disease and its devastating complications.
Angelica Berrie, the Russell Berrie Foundation

It is an honor for me to provide an opportunity for Columbia to start its stem cell research program. I am hopeful that the development of life-saving therapeutics for debilitating diseases is no longer out of reach.
Charles H. Brunie, the Jean I. and Charles H. Brunie Foundation

We are proud to support the Jerry and Emily Spiegel Laboratory for Cell Replacement Therapies at CUMC. Stem cells offer the exciting promise of regenerative medicine. The research conducted in this lab will help understand how to harness the brain’s own stem cells to treat such neurological disorders as Parkinson’s disease.
Jerry and Emily Spiegel, the Jerry & Emily Spiegel Family Foundation, Inc.

We are delighted to provide a research institution like Columbia with the means to achieve progress in this important area of research.
Bernard and Anne Spitzer

Need for Support

Philanthropy is vital to enable Columbia to realize the promise of stem cell research. Other states, such as California and neighboring New Jersey, have identified income streams both from state governments and lead donors. Yet, New York is lagging behind – placing NYC and Columbia in a challenging situation. Despite these challenges, Columbia has already raised $25 million from private donors – most notably for brain and diabetes research. An additional $25 million will enable Columbia’s stem cell researchers to attain their scientific goals and help position Columbia University Medical Center as a leader in the field of stem cell research and patient care. Naming opportunities are available for significant gifts.

There are many ways for you to invest in the Stem Cell Initiative. Your gifts will be used to support the following priorities:

• A stem cell research fund to recruit and retain internationally renowned stem cell biologists and promote stem cell research by Columbia’s world-class researchers



• A new neural stem cell center will provide state-of-the-art laboratory and office space



• A good manufacturing practice cell processing facility will allow Columbia to produce cells for experimental and therapeutic use



• A separate laboratory dedicated to growing new human embryonic stem cells to launch new stem cell studies



• Endowments for senior and junior professorships for Columbia’s stem cell physicians and scientists



• Scholarships for doctoral candidates and post-doctoral fellows focused on stem cell studies