Former motocross racer Ricky James Jr., 19, is donating $200,000 – trust fund money he'd been saving for his first home – to stem cell research at the University of California at Irvine he believes will cure paralysis.
Wired News has covered UCI associate professor Hans Keirstead's work pretty thoroughly. He's been performing his stem cell research under the auspices of biotech company Geron for the past several years. The Orange County Register article that describes James' donation also says Keirstead is looking for $1.5 million to finish his animal studies. Makes me wonder what's up with Geron?
The company has pushed back their start date for human clinical trials several times. I'm putting some calls in to find out the latest, watch this space for updates. Fingers crossed that James' investment will bear fruit soon.
Below is a video of James riding motocross – after his injury.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e86TtTr-Jvs
