NAME OF ORGANIZATION: Coalition to Cure Calpain 3
WEBSITE: CureCalpain3.org
FACEBOOK: Coalition to Cure Calpain 3: Overcoming LGMD2A/Calpainopathy
Twitter: @CureCalpain3
WHAT LGMD SUB-TYPE DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION FOCUS ON:
LGMD2A, a form of Calpainopathy
IF YOU FOCUS ON A SUB-TYPE, IS THERE A REGISTRY AND HOW CAN PATIENTS JOIN?
Yes, we maintain the global LGMD2A Patient Registry. It’s easy to sign up at www.lgmd2a.org
Is your organization a Non-Profit? If so, what type:
Yes, we are a U.S.-based 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt public charity
WHAT INSPIRED THE CREATION OF YOUR ORGANIZATION:
Coalition to Cure Calpain 3 (C3) was founded in 2010 for the specific purpose of funding research efforts focused on understanding the biology of and finding a cure for LGMD2A, a form of Calpainopathy. This organization was created by patients and their families who were frustrated with the lack of knowledge about the disease and the fact that very little research was being done. For some of us, even getting a specific diagnosis had taken decades. We are motivated by our desire to encourage collaboration among scientists, those who have LGMD2A, their families and friends, and the community-at-large to bring an end to this under-researched, underfunded “orphan” disease.
WHAT IS YOUR ORGANIZATION’S MISSION:
C3 is committed to treating and ultimately curing limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A (LGMD2A), a form of Calpainopathy. Our mission is to fund high potential research and clinical trials as we educate the global community about this disease.
WHAT SERVICES DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDE:
– Fund research focused on LGMD2A/Calpainopathy
– Maintain the global patient registry for LGMD2A/Calpainopathy
– Educate the global community (including the scientific community along with patients, their families, and the general public) about the disease via our website, social media, presence at scientific conferences, and email communications
– Provide a support forum for patients and their families on Facebook (email C3 Director of Patient Outreach Carol Abraham to join)
WHAT IS YOUR ORGANIZATION MOST PROUD OF:
We are most proud of the fact that we have been able to attract and support high caliber scientists to spur calpainopathy research. Dr. Melissa Spencer has led our Scientific Advisory Board since our inception in 2010, working alongside Drs. Kevin Campbell, Eric Hoffman, and Lou Kunkel. Dr. Jennifer Levy joined us as the first C3 Scientific Director in 2016 and has more than doubled the number of research projects we are funding. The fact that our foundation, initially just an idea we had to try to make a difference, has committed almost $1.5 million dollars to calpainopathy research undertaken by leading scientists – Drs. Michele Calos, Lou Kunkel, Cathleen Lutz, Rita Perlingeiro, Isabelle Richard, Melissa Spencer, Volker Straub – is something we are indeed proud of.
What do you want the world to know about YOUR ORGANIZATION:
We recently launched a Gene Therapy Initiative that seeks to accelerate the understanding of gene therapy as a treatment for LGMD2A by funding the research of multiple gene therapy approaches. If results from any current or future Gene Therapy Initiative research projects are positive, they can be progressed towards the initiation of clinical trials for LGMD2A patients. Be on the lookout for announcements from us as we continue to fund new projects. http://www.curecalpain3.org/research
HOW CAN PEOPLE BECOME INVOLVED IN SUPPORTING YOUR ORGANIZATION:
Bringing a therapy from the research lab to a clinical trial is a long and expensive process. The most critical way people can support our organization’s mission is to donate. Every dollar makes a difference in our efforts to cure this muscle-wasting disease.
Donors can make donations in three ways:
– our website (online)
– our Crowdrise campaign (online)
– by mail via check (offline)
email us and ask for a donation form or download one at http://files.constantcontact.com/fc88c999301/4a707677-bb13-4ccf-a5a7-d75c7630cb0e.pdf
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO CONTACT YOUR ORGANIZATION:
Email us at info@curecalpain3.org. We will reply!
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?
If you know that you have some form of limb girdle muscular dystrophy, please push for genetic testing to identify your type. There is still much for all of the LGMD organizations and the scientific community to learn about this group of diseases, and you can help by joining the appropriate patient registry. Seek out the many support groups; you are not alone. Please know that we are motivated and working every day to learn more about calpainopathy and to find a treatment or cure.
