2008 Spinal Cord Tumor Association Conference

 2008 Spinal Cord Tumor Association Conference Attendees

On July 18th and 19^th, 2008, Board members, Gerry and Linda Benzinger, attended the third conference of the Spinal Cord Tumor Association, Inc. (“SCTA”) in Chicago. The SCTA is a non-profit organization formed by spinal cord tumor survivors for the purpose of supporting survivors and their families.

On behalf of the CORD Foundation, Gerry Benzinger made a presentation at the conference showcasing the Foundation’s success in funding four separate medical research projects to date. There were seven physician presenters who spoke on various issues effecting spinal cord tumor patients. Of special interest to the SCTA was the presentation of Dr. George Jallo, giving an update on his research, which the CORD Foundation has been funding for the past three years. Dr. Jallo received clinical trial approval for his brain tumor model, which utilizes the same procedure as the spinal cord tumor model. Dr. Jallo indicated that this is very encouraging because based on his research; he does not anticipate any adverse results from the brain tumor model clinical trials. If those clinical trials are successful, he would expect to receive clinical trial approval for the spinal cord tumor model. This would be a major breakthrough in treatment modalities for spinal cord tumors.

Several weeks after the the conference, The Spinal Cord Tumor Association donated proceeds of $35,000 raised from the Chance for Life event in Washington, DC to CORD Foundation to help support medical research for spinal cord tumors.  The CORD Foundation greatly appreciates SCTA's support as well as the efforts of all those involved with the Cance for Life event.