Wings for Life BULLETIN UK #02

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FANTASTIC RESEARCH PROJECTS It’s a done deal! After an elaborate selection process, all contracts have been signed and we are immensely proud to be supporting so many new projects and clinical trials. You can find out what happens with your donations at Harvard, Yale, or University of London in the research category of our website.

www.wingsforlife.com

02 SPINAL CORD INJURY

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE BODY Whenever the spinal cord is injured it enters emergency mode and attempts to repair the damage. On our website, biologist Vieri Failli explains the exact circumstances and the hurdles and/or opportunities for science.

NEW DONATION BOXES They’re back! Our foldable donation boxes are the perfect companions for BBQs, birthday parties, or other creative events. How can get your hands on one of these beauties, you ask? Just drop us a short e-mail at office@wingsforlife.com

DISCOVERY Researchers at the University of Alberta (Canada) have discovered something truly astonishing: artificially triggering an inflammation in patients with chronic spinal cord injuries opens up a new window of opportunity for successful rehabilitation.

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One evening, Gisele settled down in bed - only to wake up in hospital with a severe spinal cord injury. The young woman is a sleepwalker and fell into the courtyard of her home from the 7th floor. In an interview on our website, she shares her story with us.

“I DREAM OF GETTING UP ON MY FEET AGAIN. I CAN PICTURE THAT.” Paulus Ploier, is paralysed from his neck downwards after diving into the water, head first.

SHOOTING CLAYS FOR THE DAY Our UK event, The Clay Day, took place on the Wednesday before Silverstone and welcomed guests from the world of Formula One and beyond for a relaxed day of clay shooting and a spot of sparkling wine. With thanks to our partners: Porsche, Curious Brewery, Grenfell Clothing and Baxterstorey, £105,000 was raised for spinal cord injury research. Brilliant!

Are you keen to find out more? All news and research projects are available in full on www.wingsforlife.com

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SCHWAB’S LIFE’S WORK Neurobiologist Martin Schwab has discovered why nerves within an injured spinal cord don’t regrow. We sat down for a chat with the Swiss scientist.

You were the first researcher to discover growth inhibitors. What are they?

In simple terms, these NOGO proteins are like a red light in traffic. If one covers the red light with a bag, one can no longer see it and drives on. So if one covers the active site in the spinal cord, nerve fibres continue to grow.

How has spinal cord research developed over the years?

When we started our research, the injured spinal cord was nothing more than a niche area. In the clinics, doctors told patients with spinal cord injuries: “Get used to the idea that you will spend your life in a wheelchair.” The situation is different today. We are beginning to understand the mechanisms and can stimulate the

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regeneration of injured nerve fibres in the spinal cord and brain by suppressing the growth inhibitor Nogo-A. It’s a huge step forward.

Do you think we will have a cure soon?

Picture a thick fibre optic cable connecting two computer centres. A bomb explodes in that cable. We may never be able to repair all the damage to the millions of nerve fibres.

But restoring functions such as breathing, bladder and bowel control, standing, and walking - perhaps from the bed to the bathroom - is a goal we could accomplish in the near future.

Visit www.wingsforlife.com for the exciting full-length interview.

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OUR SPINAL CORD FEELS LIKE GELATINE AND HAS A DIAMETER OF APPROXIMATELY 1CM - NO MORE THAN A COMMON PENCIL.

Donation Account: HSBC, Account No: 80077577 Sort code: 40-11-60

Thank you for helpin g us to make spinal cord injurie s curable.

OF YOUR VALUABLE DONATIONS ARE INVESTED DIRECTLY IN SPINAL CORD RESEARCH.

Sent with ❤ from Wings for Life United Kingdom 42 Earlham St, London WC2H 9LA