Unprecedented Donation by Korean Stem Cell Leader: Dr. Jeong-Chan Ra of RNL Bio announces the donation of 90% of his wealth

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SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Jeong-Chan Ra, founder and largest shareholder of RNL Bio (www.rnl.co.kr), an international biotechnology research and development firm, has pledged to give away 90% of his personal wealth over the next 10 years to promote social causes consistent with the values of human life.  Dr. Ra will donate 90% privately owned equity, equity-related bonds, warrants and other assets of RNL Bio Co. and RNL Bio affiliates to the following four non-profit organizations: Bethesda Life Foundation, Yesung Medical Corporation, Academia Christiana of Korea, and Central Christian Academy.

Since 2009, Dr. Ra, based on the value of respect for human life, has supported various causes that promote social justice, access to health care, and wellness across the lifespan. A donation of $1M from Dr. Ra established the Bethesda Life Foundation (http://www.bethesdalife.org/index.php/donate), a nonprofit organization for social welfare, committed to providing patients with chronic rare diseases with access to medical care and life-saving therapies.

Through his donation, Dr. Ra wants to continue his healthcare support for those with intractable diseases as well as support for educating children of underprivileged patients with such diseases. Dr. Ra "hoped that this donation becomes the turning point for RNL Bio to fulfill its responsibility as a society helping enterprise." He also explained that while he continues to serve as a stem cell scientist at RNL Stem Cell Technology Institute he plans to focus his efforts upon the research on finding cure of rare chronic diseases.

Dr. Ra's gift is made in the spirit of other major corporate leaders worldwide who have become instrumental philanthropists by converting their personal fortune into a foundation for good, including Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and Bill Clinton. Dr. Ra is mirroring Mr. Buffet and Mr. Gates' contributions that were made in late 2010 for the wealthy to donate at least 50% of their personal wealth.

A Commitment to Healing and Social Justice

< Bethesda Life Foundation >
Bethesda Life Foundation supports patients of rare and chronic disease in the socially and economically underprivileged class with various medical help.  The mission of Bethesda Life Foundation is, based on the value life-respect, for all mankind to enjoy a healthy and happy life.

< Yesung Medical Corporation >
Yesung Medical Corporation operates the Bethesda General Hospital, located in Yangsan, Korea and the hospital has advanced in specializing the regenerative medicine using adult stem cell research and technology. With the realization of 100-year longevity utilizing stem cells as the mission, the corporation is enhancing the medical technology of respect for life.

< Academia Christiana of Korea >
Academia Christiana was established in order to contribute to establish the mental discipline of the country and people by Christian studies to meet the growth and development of the Church in Korea. Academia Christiana of Korea has been organizing academic seminars and public lectures, publishing academic research papers and operating Ulaanbaatar University in Mongol.

< Central Christian Academy School Corporation >
Founder Pastor Billy Kim and his wife were sent out to return to Korea in 1959 as missionaries from the Christian Service Center, an international mission organization, based in Ohio, USA and appointed to Suwon Central Baptist Church. After establishing Central Kindergarten in 1978, he obtained the lot in Woncheon-dong, Paldal-gu, Suwon, Korea, received the approval of School Corporation to open the Central Christian School to achieve the goal of nurturing Christians to become the world's salt and light through cooperation of homes, schools and churches.

SOURCE RNL Bio