Actor Christopher Reeve to Speak at Yale

Actor Christopher Reeve, who was paralyzed in an equestrian competition in 1995, will be the keynote speaker April 3 at the Yale University Stem Cell Interest Group meeting in the Yale School of Medicine’s new biomedical and research building at 300 Cedar Street.

Reeve is chair of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation (CRPF), a national, nonprofit organization that supports research to develop effective treatments and a cure for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury and other central nervous system disorders. CRPF also allocates a portion of its resources to grants that improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.

The title of his talk at Yale will be “Stem Cells and Public Policy.”

In addition to his work on behalf of CRPF, Reeve’s recent efforts include, among many others, testifying before the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies in favor of federally funded stem cell research. He also testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies on behalf of the National Fund for Health Research Act.

Reeve also continues to work to obtain increased funding from both the public and private sectors to cure Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, stroke, as well as to repair the damaged spinal cord.

The Yale Stem Cell Interest Group (YSCIG) was established in May 2002 and is Yale’s first faculty-student community devoted to the discussion of the biological, therapeutic, ethical and policy/political implications of stem cell research and therapy. The founder and director is Rajesh Rao, a second year medical student at Yale. The faculty advisor is Diane Krause, M.D., associate professor of laboratory medicine and pathology and a stem cell researcher.

The talk will take place at 5:45 p.m. in the auditorium at 300 Cedar Street. The presentation is open to the stem cell group, members of the Yale community, and the public, space permitting. Those interested in attending are asked to notify Rao at: Rajesh.rao@yale.edu

Media coverage of the speech will be allowed, however any requests for individual interviews must be made to Reeve’s public relations firm, Witeck Combs. The contact at Witeck Combs is Ciaran Clayton, who can be reached at 202-887-0500.