|
search the site>> |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funding for research is a high priority for Hemophilia of Georgia. One goal in the agency’s current three-year plan is to fund at least $300,000 in research each year. This page highlights some of Hemophilia of Georgia’s recent research funding.
Hemophilia Clinical Scientist Development Grants
Since July 2003, Hemophilia of Georgia has funded three physician researchers to conduct translational research on hemophilia and its complications. In July 2005, the agency began funding three more researchers. Each grant is for $75,000 a year, renewable for up to five years, with an additional $7,500 per year for indirect costs. The grant requires an 80% time commitment to hemophilia-related research.
Through this program, Hemophilia of Georgia hopes to help create the next generation of hemophilia researchers. This funding will allow a physician who has completed research training to advance to the status of an independent investigator. Our goal is for the achievements of these scientists to improve the lives of people with hemophilia.
Funding for a Cure for Hemophilia B in Honor of Bill Acree and Rebecca Acree
In the fall of 2002, Hemophilia of Georgia contributed $125,000 to Dr. Katherine High’s research efforts at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The contribution was in honor of two long-term volunteers, Bill Acree and Rebecca Acree. Dr. High is working on a cure for people with factor IX deficiency. She has been successful in using a virus to put the factor IX gene into the livers of dogs with hemophilia. The dogs’ livers began producing clotting factor. So far the treatment looks safe and Dr. High is increasing the dose. The next step will be to determine whether this same approach will work in humans. In the meantime she continues to work on finding better ways to get the factor IX gene into the body. Dr. High will utilize the funding received from HoG to pay for lab assistants, lab materials and publishing some of her work.
Funding for a Cure for Hemophilia
At the 2002 Annual Meeting of the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF), Hemophilia of Georgia was recognized as the NHF membership organization that has contributed the most money to NHF’s “It’s Time for a Cure” research campaign. Hemophilia of Georgia’s contribution of $175,000 places it among the top seven funders overall. The purpose of the “It’s Time for a Cure” campaign is to raise money for research that seeks cures for hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. The NHF gives grants to laboratories and individual investigators involved in gene therapy and other areas of research that have a significant potential for finding a cure.
Funding for Research on Hepatitis C
In June of 2002, the Hemophilia of Georgia Board of Directors voted to support research on hepatitis C through the American Liver Foundation. Hemophilia of Georgia contributed $125,000 that was matched by the Liver Foundation for a total of $250,000. Of this money, $150,000 goes toward funding a liver scholar for three years. This award is named the “John Mitchell Hemophilia of Georgia Liver Scholar” in honor of long-time volunteer John Mitchell. The remaining $100,000 is for the “Hemophilia of Georgia Seed Grant” which supports hepatitis C research.
Funding for Research Fellowships and a Clinical Nurse
In fiscal year 2003, Hemophilia of Georgia funded a full Judith Graham Pool Fellowship, a program administered by the National Hemophilia Foundation. Judith Graham Pool Fellowships are awarded to physicians and scientists who are beginning their careers on research into bleeding disorders. Hemophilia of Georgia also funded a clinical nurse at Emory University Hemophilia Treatment Center for a study on Interferon and ribavirin therapy for the treatment of hepatitis C in individuals with bleeding disorders.