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| Pictured at the 2005 AANS Annual Meeting, NREF Chair Martin H. Weiss, MD, at right, presents Kyphon representative Karen Talmadge, PhD, with a token of appreciation for Kyphon’s 2004-2005 support of the AANS’ neurosurgical research and educational goals. Dr. Talmadge is Kyphon’s executive vice president and chief science officer. For more NREF information, visit www.AANS.org/research. For more about Kyphon, visit www.kyphon.com . |
The AANS founded the NREF, its research division, in 1981 in response to a rapid decline in federal and private funding for medical research. The membership was supportive; however, the annual contributions were not enough to sustain the level of funding necessary to pursue quality research into neurosurgical diseases. Consequently, to enhance the much needed grant support, in the 1990s the NREF began partnering with pharmaceutical and medical device companies such as Kyphon Inc.
Founded in 1994, Kyphon utilizes a proprietary balloon technology to repair spinal fractures with minimally invasive surgery. The company strives to remain true to its core values of loyalty, trust and respect for others, and to operate an organization based on honesty, integrity and commitment.
Since 2003, Kyphon has been one of the many corporations investing in spine research through NREF research fellowships and young clinician investigator awards. Kyphon’s annual support of a one- or two-year grant has made a difference in the research careers of three clinician-scientists funded by these grants.
“We are pleased to continue our support of the NREF and its research activities,” said Karen Talmadge, PhD, Kyphon’s executive vice president and chief science officer. “Through our corporate sponsorship, we can support the foundation’s activities to realize our common mission of improving patient care and quality of life by advancing worthwhile neurosciences research.”
Kyphon Matches Donations 100 Percent
Kyphon recently took its relationship with the NREF to yet another level, issuing a matching grant and a challenge to all AANS members. Kyphon generously agreed to match 100 percent of all donations to the NREF up to $25,000. Hence the donations made to NREF, either first-time or renewed gifts, were doubled, thus enabling each contribution to have a greater impact on the overall research grant program.
“We are proud to partner with Kyphon in this way,” commented NREF Chair Martin H. Weiss, MD, FACS. “Neurosurgery’s growth and expansion is dependent upon both technical evolution and the expansion of our understanding of the disease processes that confront us. Corporations like Kyphon are assisting us with this growth and expansion through their dedicated support of research.”
It is a true match made in the name of science and medical research. Kyphon and the NREF are organizations working together toward a common good — making a difference in neurosurgery, one day and one dollar at a time.
Silent Auction Donations Support Research
In addition to corporate support, another avenue of NREF support will be evidenced at the 2006 AANS Annual Meeting April 22-27, when the Young Neurosurgeons Committee hosts the 2006 Annual Silent Auction benefiting the NREF.
>The committee, led by Edward Vates, MD, began procuring items for the eighth silent auction immediately following the 2005 event, securing popular items such as vacation packages, electronic gadgets, sports memorabilia and medical books. Also welcomed are monetary donations, which will be used to purchase items in the name of the contributor or contributing company. This year’s fundraising goal for the auction is $30,000.
Proceeds from the YNC-sponsored auction assist the NREF in its efforts to fund scientific investigations through research fellowships and young clinician awards.
For more information about the 2006 Annual Silent Auction, to make a donation or to learn more about the NREF grants program, visit www.AANS.org/research.
Michele S. Gregory is AANS director of development.