Summit 5K for Parkinson's Health & Wellness

Our mission:
Summit for Stem Cell Foundation’s mission is to support, educate and raise awareness about the development of today’s and tomorrow’s evidence-based regenerative medical therapies focused on Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. It is our goal to empower patients and physicians with information to elevate their understanding in order to manage their care.

Our vision:
Summit for Stem Cell Foundation’s vision is a world where regenerative medicine is fully integrated into mainstream healthcare for persons with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions as a treatment option.

I would like to share some staggering statistics that inspire us:

• 1,000,000 people in the U.S. have Parkinson's disease (PD).
• 90,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S.
• Approximately 10,000,000 people have the disease worldwide today.
• Current trends indicate that by 2023 PD could
  • outpace Alzheimer's Disease and become the leading neurodegenerative disease.
  • number of diagnosed cases could reach 30,000,000.
• 20% are diagnosed before age 40 (Young-Onset Parkinson's disease).
• Highest percentage diagnosed are male age 50-80.
• The CAUSE is unknown. There is no CURE.
• There is one certainty for patients with PD: It always gets worse.

We feel these statistics are unacceptable. Therefore, we are focused intently on changing them. Your insightful generosity enables us to continue our efforts on behalf of the 1+ million Americans and 10+ worldwide struggling daily with Parkinson’s disease.

Summit for Stem Cell Foundation supported the research project led by Dr. Jeanne Loring at Scripps Research Institute and with Dr. Loring, helped launch Aspen Neuroscience in 2018.  Aspen is now preparing to initiate clinical trials for an autologous stem cell-derived dopamine neuron replacement therapy for Parkinson’s disease. With the therapy development now underway, Summit is focusing on another aspect of their mission, to support individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease by founding The Center for Parkinson’s Health and Wellness in the San Diego area.

The vision for the Center is to provide a place where people with Parkinson’s and their families and caretakers can be empowered with the tools, knowledge and resources to live their best lives. The Summit team would like to open the first phase of this Center within the next 12 months. We are looking to raise funds, find collaborators, and engage professionals of like mind to begin helping people with Parkinson’s live the best life possible. 

Program development has been completed with an experienced team of neurologists, scientists, and patient advocates. We are ready for a location. Summit plans to grow the center, move it to a larger space and expand their programs to anyone in need. Long-term, we will consider the possibility of expanding to other areas of the state and country .

All proceeds will go to The Center for Parkinson’s Health and Wellness Capital Campaign. We hope to open the doors as soon as possible because the need is great.