U.S. Senate Recognizes September As "National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month"

MIAMI, Sept. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Senate Resolution 533, introduced by Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, designates September 2014 as "National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month". This designation is especially timely given the progress being made toward a cure for spinal cord injury at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.

"We are incredibly grateful to Senator Rubio and the entire U.S. Senate for recognizing National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month," stated Marc Buoniconti, President of The Miami Project. "This designation goes a long way in generating more awareness and support for the cutting edge research that is leading us closer to a cure. Our innovative approaches, discoveries, clinical trials, and scientific breakthroughs are offering real hope that a cure for paralysis will be found soon."

The resolution passed by the U.S. Senate states, in part "…every 48 minutes a person will become paralyzed, underscoring the urgent need to develop new neuroprotection, pharmacological, and regeneration treatments to reduce, prevent, and reverse paralysis…".  It continues, "…increased education and investment in research are key factors in improving outcomes for victims of spinal cord injuries, improving the quality of life of victims, and ultimately curing paralysis."

"Over the years, research about spinal cord injuries has helped treat millions of patients, while helping prevent injuries for millions more through education and awareness. But more must be done with the goal of helping those who have been affected to walk again. I am honored to play my part in having the U.S. Senate recognize Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month, and help boost efforts in support of this worthy cause," said Senator Rubio.

The resolution further states that the Senate, "continues to support research to find better treatments, therapies, and a cure for paralysis" and "supports clinical trials for new therapies that offer promise and hope to those persons living with paralysis".

The designation of National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month will build awareness and even more support for The Miami Project and allow the quest for a cure for spinal cord injury to continue.

THE MIAMI PROJECT: In 1985, Barth A. Green, M.D. and NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Nick Buoniconti helped found The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis after Nick's son, Marc, sustained a spinal cord injury during a college football game. Today, The Miami Project is the world's most comprehensive spinal cord injury (SCI) research center, and a designated Center of Excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.  The Miami Project's international team of more than 300 scientists, researchers, clinicians and support staff who take innovative approaches to the challenges of spinal cord and brain injury.

The Miami Project's Christine E. Lynn Clinical Trials Initiative is designed to take discoveries found to be successful in laboratory studies and fast track them to human studies.  The Miami Project team currently has five FDA approved SCI clinical trials underway.  Our FDA approved Schwann cell transplantation trial, is changing the spinal cord injury field and sets an important foundation for future Miami Project cell replacement therapies.

Miami Project researchers are conducting or participating in more than eighteen clinical trials for spinal cord and brain injuries, and have more than a dozen clinical research studies underway. Because of our clinical and research expertise, The Miami Project is confident that we have the knowledge and resolve to initiate additional clinical trials that will help us continue to responsibly and safely take these important steps into humans.

MEDIA CONTACTS:  Scott Roy, 305-243-8939 or [email protected]

SOURCE The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis