May 2005

Connecting to cure spinal cord injury

May 21 conference highlights connections between the science, ethics and politics of SCI research

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – An estimated 247,000 people have a spinal cord injury in the United States and about 11,000 new cases occur each year, but a "cure" for this catastrophic injury remains elusive. Nevertheless, new science is raising the hope that one day a cure for SCI will be within reach.

To address controversial and misunderstood issues related to SCI cure research, the University of Michigan Health System's Model SCI Care System (part of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation), in partnership with the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living and the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America, will host the conference Connection to SCI Cure: The Science, Ethics and Politics of Spinal Cord Injury Research.

The conference begins at 9 a.m., Saturday, May 21, at the Marriott Hotel in Ypsilanti. The conference will include world-renowned experts from across the country and at the U-M who will discuss SCI care and research on the following topics:



To register online, visit www.med.umich.edu/pmr/modelsci/springconference.htm. Cost is $75 for physicians, $60 for professionals, $25 for families and $10 for others. Conference materials, continental breakfast, box lunch and refreshments are included.

For more information about the conference and registration, call 734-763-0971.

Written by Jessica Soulliere