PIMCO’s Founder Kick Starts Stem Cell Fundraising

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Bill and Sue Gross

UC Irvine is trying to raise $8 million to finish laboratories, clinics and conference facilities in a campus stem cell research center and Laguna Beach residents Bill and Sue Gross are kick-starting the campaign by offering to match up to $4 million in funding between now and Nov. 30.

Finalizing the center will enable a broader range of scholars to join the facility and accelerate research of new treatments for debilitating diseases and injuries, UCI officials said in a statement.

The local couple provided the initial donation that made construction of the research center possible. Since its opening in 2010, the facility has become one of the world’s leading stem cell research and teaching centers, setting the stage for some of the very first clinical trials.

“Stem cell research offers countless possibilities for patients who suffer from so many earth-shattering diseases and injuries, and now is the time to make their dreams for cures and new therapies a reality,” said Sue Gross, president of the Gross Family Foundation. Her husband, Bill, founded Newport Beach-based PIMCO, an investment company.

“We encourage supporters of stem cell research to donate to this worthwhile cause and we’re honored to support their efforts in the form of dollar-for-dollar matching funds.  The sooner we complete the expansion of the research center, the sooner we’ll be able to put more of the world’s most brilliant minds together developing new treatments as well as discovering new cures.”

Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center

“We’re literally on the brink of finding cures for spinal cord injuries, Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, Huntington’s disease and stroke rehabilitation, just to name a few,” said Peter Donovan, director of the Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center. “Expanding our research center at this time with state-of-the-art lab space and new conference facilities will play a crucial role in speeding up that process.  It will also raise hope for the growing number of patients who suffer from these devastating conditions.”

For more infor: call 949-824-0091 or visit http://stemcell.uci.edu/contribute/ .

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