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TQS just got a message from Ami Simms and the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative and...
One of the research grants the AAQI funded has yielded positive results!
Here's what Ami has to say:
"I'm stunned, delighted, and I burst into tears every time I think about it. My hands are still shaking. I'm not smart enough to know if this is a Big Deal in the scientific community or not, but at least 9,000 web sites are carrying the story. As with all research we're not "there" yet, but this is incredibly encouraging. And us quilters made it happen!
Basically, the University of Michigan, with our $30K funding, was able to create small molecules that can break up the clumps of amyloid plaque in the brain. (Many believe the amyloid plaques are responsible for cell death and the horrific memory loss. Smaller pieces may be more easy to remove. They think they can get these little suckers (molecules) past the blood brain barrier (a very big deal) and remove the broken up bits through chelation therapy. (That's the next step) It all has to do with copper and zinc ions, and I truly barely know what I'm talking about, so please don't quote me."
To get your update please go to http://www.AAQIUpdate.wordpress.com.
Ami would be more than happy if you'd like to share this wonderful news with your local TV stations, you can share this link http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101209130959.htm. And don't forget to read all the way to the bottom for who funded the study. QUILTERS! That's a little different.. and you can tell them all about raising money for this odd-ball nonprofit. Show them quilts, pictures of quilts, be part of the story. Just mention the AAQI five or six thousand times.
P.S. and thanks to quilters, Ami also wanted you to know that they are closing in on $500,000 in donations.